S. Tajima et al., Symbiotic nitrogen fixation at the late stage of nodule formation in Lotusjaponicus and other legume plants, J PLANT RES, 113(1112), 2000, pp. 467-473
After nodule organogenesis has been triggered by lipochitin oligosaccharide
s (LCO) and early nodulin gene expression has started, the basic structure
of the nodule tissue is formed. This early stage is believed to be independ
ent of rhizobia invasion into host plant cell cytoplasm, and later signal e
xchanges between plant cells and infected rhizobia are suggested to be esse
ntial to establish a stable symbiotic relationship between host cell and sy
mbiont, including late nodulin gene expressions concerning C/N flow in the
nodule tissue. The nodule organogenesis results in an endocytological symbi
osis that is important for nitrogen fixation and translocation of the produ
cts to the shoot. Symbiotic metabolisms suggested to function in Lotus japo
nicus nodules are reviewed, and current research data on Nod-35 (uricase) g
ene, including that of Lotus japonicus as an example of a late nodulin gene
are presented.