Exploring the Intrinsic Limits of Nitrogenase Transfer from Bacteria to Eukaryotes

Biological nitrogen fixation is widespread among the Eubacteria and Archae domains but completely absent in eukaryotes. The lack of lateral transfer of nitrogen-fixation genes from prokaryotes to eukaryotes has been partially attributed to the physiological requirements necessary for the function of...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of molecular evolution 2013-08, Vol.77 (1-2), p.3-7
Main Authors: Soto, Gabriela, Fox, Ana Romina, Ayub, Nicolás Daniel
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Alfalfa
Animal Genetics and Genomics
Bacteria
Bacteria - classification
Bacteria - genetics
Bacteria - metabolism
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Cell Biology
Enzymes
Eukaryota - classification
Eukaryota - genetics
Eukaryota - metabolism
Eukaryotes
Evolutionary Biology
Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
Letter to the Editor
Life Sciences
Medicago sativa - genetics
Medicago sativa - metabolism
Microbiology
Nitrogen fixation
Nitrogen Fixation - genetics
Nitrogenase - genetics
Nitrogenase - metabolism
Phylogeny
Plant Genetics and Genomics
Plant Root Nodulation - genetics
Plant Sciences
Plant structures
Sinorhizobium meliloti - genetics
Sinorhizobium meliloti - metabolism
Symbiosis
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Summary:Biological nitrogen fixation is widespread among the Eubacteria and Archae domains but completely absent in eukaryotes. The lack of lateral transfer of nitrogen-fixation genes from prokaryotes to eukaryotes has been partially attributed to the physiological requirements necessary for the function of the nitrogenase complex. However, symbiotic bacterial nitrogenase activity is protected by the nodule, a plant structure whose organogenesis can be trigged in the absence of bacteria. To explore the intrinsic potentiality of this plant organ, we generated rhizobium-independent nodules in alfalfa by overexpressing the MsDMI3 kinase lacking the autoinhibitory domain. These transgenic nodules showed similar levels of leghemoglobin, free oxygen, ATP, and NADPH to those of efficient Sinorhizobium meliloti B399-infected nodules, suggesting that the rhizobium-independent nodules can provide an optimal microenvironment for nitrogenase activity. Finally, we discuss the intrinsic evolutionary constraints on transfer of nitrogen-fixation genes between bacteria and eukaryotes.
ISSN:0022-2844
1432-1432
DOI:10.1007/s00239-013-9578-8