Genetics and biochemistry of the Rhizobium meliloti acidic extracellular heteropolysaccharide and its role in nodulation: Annual report for the period 1 June 1987-31 May 1988

Technical Report · Thu Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1987

OSTI ID:5203711

Leigh, J A

The symbiotic association of Rhizobium with legumes results in a vital supply of inexpensive nitrogen for the growth of crops such as soybean and alfalfa. In a complex series of events, the bacterial symbiont, Rhizobium, induces the formation of a specialilzed root structure, the nodule. Rhizobium then enters the cells of the nodule and fixes nitrogen. We are interested in an extracellular polysaccharide, produced by Rhizobium, which is required for nodule entry. We have found that R. meliloti mutants which produce the polysaccharide but fail to enter nodules, actually produce an abnormal form of the polysacchardie which lacks succinate. Recently we have discovered a second polysaccharide which can be produced in place of the first polysacchaaride and also satisfy the requirement for nodule entry. We are studying the gentic regulation of the production of the two polysaccharides.

• Research Organization: Washington Univ., Seattle (USA). Dept. of Microbiology and Immunology
• DOE Contract Number: FG06-86ER13532
• OSTI ID: 5203711
• Report Number(s): DOE/ER/13532-2; ON: DE88009670
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
BACTERIA
BIOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS
CARBOHYDRATES
CARBOXYLIC ACIDS
DICARBOXYLIC ACIDS
DOCUMENT TYPES
FUNCTIONS
GENE MUTATIONS
MICROORGANISMS
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
MUTATIONS
ORGANIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
POLYSACCHARIDES
PROGRESS REPORT
RHIZOBIUM
SACCHARIDES
SUCCINIC ACID