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Title: Feathermoss and epiphytic Nostoc cooperate differently: expanding the spectrum of plant–cyanobacteria symbiosis

Journal Article · · The ISME Journal
 [1];  [2];  [3];  [2];  [1];  [4];  [4];  [4];  [4]; ORCiD logo [4];  [4];  [5];  [6]; ORCiD logo [6];  [2];  [2];  [1]
  1. Stockholm Univ. (Sweden). Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences
  2. J Craig Venter Institute, La Jolla, CA (United States)
  3. Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States). Physical and Life Sciences Directorate
  4. USDOE Joint Genome Institute (JGI), Walnut Creek, CA (United States)
  5. Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States). Biological Sciences Division
  6. Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States). Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory

Dinitrogen (N2)-fixation by cyanobacteria in symbiosis with feathermosses is the primary pathway of biological nitrogen (N) input into boreal forests. Despite its significance, little is known about the cyanobacterial gene repertoire and regulatory rewiring needed for the establishment and maintenance of the symbiosis. To determine gene acquisitions and regulatory changes allowing cyanobacteria to form and maintain this symbiosis, we compared genomically closely related symbiotic-competent and -incompetent Nostoc strains using a proteogenomics approach and an experimental set up allowing for controlled chemical and physical contact between partners. Thirty-two gene families were found only in the genomes of symbiotic strains, including some never before associated with cyanobacterial symbiosis. We identified conserved orthologs that were differentially expressed in symbiotic strains, including protein families involved in chemotaxis and motility, NO regulation, sulfate/phosphate transport, and glycosyl-modifying and oxidative stress-mediating exoenzymes. The physical moss–cyanobacteria epiphytic symbiosis is distinct from other cyanobacteria–plant symbioses, with Nostoc retaining motility, and lacking modulation of N2-fixation, photosynthesis, GS-GOGAT cycle and heterocyst formation. The results expand our knowledge base of plant–cyanobacterial symbioses, provide a model of information and material exchange in this ecologically significant symbiosis, and suggest new currencies, namely nitric oxide and aliphatic sulfonates, may be involved in establishing and maintaining the cyanobacteria–feathermoss symbiosis.

Research Organization:
Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC), Biological and Environmental Research (BER) (SC-23)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC52-07NA27344; AC02-05CH11231; AC05-76RL01830
OSTI ID:
1409934
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1422344; OSTI ID: 1430726
Report Number(s):
LLNL-JRNL--730832
Journal Information:
The ISME Journal, Journal Name: The ISME Journal Journal Issue: 12 Vol. 11; ISSN 1751-7362
Publisher:
Nature Publishing GroupCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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Distinctive characters of Nostoc genomes in cyanolichens journal June 2018
Genome Sequencing of Pleurozium schreberi : The Assembled and Annotated Draft Genome of a Pleurocarpous Feather Moss journal July 2019
A plant perspective on nitrogen cycling in the rhizosphere journal March 2019
Genomic Changes Associated with the Evolutionary Transitions of Nostoc to a Plant Symbiont journal March 2018
Differential gene expression associated with fungal trophic shifts along the senescence gradient of the moss Dicranum scoparium journal April 2019
Novel bacterial lineages associated with boreal moss species journal July 2018
Sulfonate-based networks between eukaryotic phytoplankton and heterotrophic bacteria in the surface ocean journal July 2019
The future of genomics in polar and alpine cyanobacteria journal February 2018