• Molecules and Cells
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.129-134
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• 2009

Legume plants develop root nodules to recruit nitrogen-fixing bacteria called rhizobia. This symbiotic relationship allows the host plants to grow even under nitrogen limiting environment. Since nodule development is an energetically expensive process, the number of nodules should be tightly controlled by the host plants. For this purpose, legume plants utilize a long-distance signaling known as autoregulation of nodulation (AON). AON signaling in legumes has been extensively studied over decades but the underlying molecular mechanism had been largely unclear until recently. With the advent of the model legumes, L. japonicus and M. truncatula, we have been seeing a great progress including isolation of the AON-associated receptor kinase. Here, we summarize recent studies on AON and discuss an updated view of the long-distance control of nodulation.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.67-70
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• 2001

Medicago truncatula is a diploid legume plant related to the forage crop alfalfa. Recently, it has been chosen as a model species for genomic studies due to its small genome, self-fertility, short generation time, and high transformation efficiency. M. truncatula engages in symbiosis with nitrogen-fixing soil bacterium Rhizobium meliloti. M. truncatula mutants that are defective in nodulation and developmental processes have been generated. Some of these mutants exhibited altered phenotypes in symbiotic responses such as root hair deformation, expression of nodulin genes, and calcium spiking. Thus, the genes controlling these traits are likely to encode functions that are required for Nod-factor signal transduction pathways. To facilitate genome analysis and map-based cloning of symbiotic genes, a bacterial artificial chromosome library was constructed. An efficient polymerase chain reaction-based screening of the library was devised to fasten physical mapping of specific genomic regions. As a genomics approach, comparative mapping revealed high levels of macro- and microsynteny between M. truncatula and other legume genomes. Expressed sequence tags and microarray profiles reflecting the genetic and biochemical events associated with the development and environmental interactions of M. truncatula are assembled in the databases. Together, these genomics programs will help enrich our understanding of the legume biology.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.551-555
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• 1997

This experiment was carried out to elucidate the biological activity and absorption characteristics of flavonoids in Rhizobium and Bradyrhizobium and to obtain basic information on host specific nodulation by flavonoids in rhizobium-legume symbiosis. The purpose of the present study was to explore the biological activity and the flavonoid absorption indicates that host-specificity is induced by flavonoids in symbiotic nitrogen fixation. Biological activity increased by daidzein and genistein treatment on B. japonicum KCTC 1539 whereas decreased by luteolin treatment but increased by luteolin treatment on R. meliloti whereas decreased by daidzein and genistein treatment. Daidzein and genistein are absorbed by B. japonicum, KCTC 1539 at higher rate than other flavonoids. Especially, luteolin was absorbed at a least rate. Luteolin are absorbed by R. meliloti KCTC 2353 at higher rate than other flavonoids. Especially, daidzein and genistein was absorbed at a least rate.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.17-22
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• 1987

For the purpose of securing of strains which can be usefully utilized to study symbiosis between Rhizobium and legume plant, A. tumefaciens T7 was isolated and characterized and then subgroup biovar was determined. A. tumefaciens T7 induced smooth tumor like nopaline type one and did not grow at $37^{\circ}C$ and in the presence of 2% NaCl on yeast extract mannitol medium. The strain was able to grow on the New and Kerr selective media and utilize erythritol but not phenylalanine, tryptophan, and tartarate as a sole carbon source. Negative results were obtained from 3-keto-lactose production and oxidase test. The strain produced alkalifrom malonate and citrate and showed acid litmus milk reaction At least two large plasmids were detected in the cell lysate. According to all of these results, it could be concluded that subdivision of isolated strain was biovar 2.