The Sinorhizobium meliloti MsbA2 protein is essential for the legume symbiosis

Sebastian Beck, Victoria L. Marlow, Katy Woodall, William T. Doerrler, Euan K. James, Gail P. Ferguson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticle

19 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Sinorhizobium meliloti is a beneficial legume symbiont, closely related to Brucella species, which are chronic mammalian pathogens. We discovered that the S. meliloti MsbA2 protein is essential to ensure the symbiotic interaction with the host plant, alfalfa. S. meliloti invades plant cells via plant-derived structures known as infection threads. However, in the absence of MsbA2, S. meliloti remains trapped within abnormally thickened infection threads and induces a heightened plant defence response, characterized by a substantial thickening of the nodule endodermis layer and the accumulation of polyphenolic compounds. The S. meliloti MsbA2 protein is homologous to the Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide/phospholipid trafficking protein MsbA. However, MsbA2 was not essential for the membrane transport of either lipopolysaccharide or phospholipids in S. meliloti. We determined that the msbA2 gene is transcribed in free-living S. meliloti and that in the absence of MsbA2 the polysaccharide content of S. meliloti is altered. Consequently, we propose a model whereby the altered polysaccharide content of the S. meliloti msbA2 mutant could be responsible for its symbiotic defect by inducing an inappropriate host response.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1258-1270
Number of pages13
JournalMicrobiology
Volume154
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2008

Keywords

  • rhizobium-meliloti
  • Escherichia-Coli
  • root-nodules
  • lipid-A
  • intracellular survival
  • cyclic beta-1,2-glucan
  • medicago-truncatula
  • outer-membrane
  • plant defense
  • baca mutant

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