ASNODC22, A NOVEL NODULIN GENE OF ASTRAGALUS-SINICUS, ENCODES A PROTEIN THAT LOCALIZES ALONG THE CELL-WALL OF BACTERIA-INFECTED CELLS IN A NODULE

A novel nodulin gene, AsNODc22, was isolated from Astragalus sinicus c v, Japan (Renge-sou) by differential screening. The transcript of AsNO Dc22 was nodule specific, and its size was approximately 0.8 knt, AsNO Dc22 encoded an unknown ORF containing a putative signal peptide and a pair of similar hepta-peptides (CSAQVSC, CSAQLSC), For immunological study, antiserum against AsNODc22 protein was prepared in mice. By imm unoblot analysis, the antiserum detected a nodule specific band at app roximately 18 kDa, Immunofluorescence microscopy was used to observe l ocalization of the gene product in the nodule, The signals were seen a long the cell wall of bacteria-infected cells, but no significant sign als were seen on uninfected cells.