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Complete sequence of a Rhizobium plasmid carrying genes necessary for symbiotic association with the plant host
Author(s) -
Kiss Ernö,
Kondorosi Ádám
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
bioessays
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.175
H-Index - 184
eISSN - 1521-1878
pISSN - 0265-9247
DOI - 10.1002/bies.950191003
Subject(s) - rhizobia , biology , nitrogen fixation , symbiosis , rhizobium , plasmid , gene , host (biology) , genetics , bacteria , horizontal gene transfer , botany , genome
The soil bacteria rhizobia have the capacity to establish nitrogen‐fixing symbiosis with their leguminous host plants. In most Rhizobium species the genes for nodule development and nitrogen fixation have been localized on large indigenous plasmids that are transmissible, allowing lateral transfer of symbiotic functions. A recent paper reports on the complete sequencing of the symbiotic plasmid pNGR234a from Rhizobium species NGR234 (1) , revealing not only putative new symbiotic genes but also possible mechanisms for evolution and lateral dispersal of symbiotic nitrogen‐fixing abilities among rhizobia.