Transcription of a gene encoding a lectinlike glycoprotein is induced in root cells harboring arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in Pisum sativum

The gene PsNlec1, which encodes a lectinlike glycoprotein, is strongly expr essed in pea nodule tissue, Using gene-specific polymerase chain reaction ( PCR) primers, in situ hybridization probes, and specific antisera derived f rom the PsNlec1 sequence, we investigated gene expression associated with t he arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis of pea roots, With the use of reve rse transcription (RT)-PCR and cold in situ hybridization, strong expressio n of the transcript was demonstrated not only in root nodules but also in m ycorrhizal roots when the cells were colonized by the endomycorrhizal fungu s Glomus versiforme. No transcript was detectable in uninfected pea roots. With an antiserum raised against PsNLEC-1 polypeptide, a single antigenic b and (25 kDa) was observed following gel electrophoresis of extracts from my corrhizal roots. However, the amount of antigen was apparently too low to b e detected by immunogold localization in tissue sections of pea mycorrhizal roots.