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Prokaryotic Symbionts in Plants pp 181–205Cite as

Physiological Adaptations in Nitrogen-fixing Nostoc–Plant Symbiotic Associations

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Part of the book series: Microbiology Monographs ((MICROMONO,volume 8))

Abstract

Nostoc species establish nitrogen-fixing symbiotic associations with representatives of the four main lineages of terrestrial plants: bryophyte hornworts and liverworts, the pteridophyte fern Azolla, gymnosperm cycads, and the angiosperm genus Gunnera. However, the plant partners represent only narrowly selected groups within these lineages. The plant partner benefits by the acquisition of fixed nitrogen, but the benefits to the Nostoc partner are unclear. Thus, the associations are considered a commensal form of symbiosis. A working hypothesis of this chapter is that these associations evolved as the lineage of the plant partner emerged. Inherent in this hypothesis is that the plant partners may have evolved different regulatory signals and targets in control of the Nostoc partner. The physiological interactions between the two partners can be modeled as a two-step process. First is the establishment of an association and involves the differentiation and behavior of motile hormogonium filaments, the infective units. Hormogonium formation is essential, but not singularly sufficient for establishment of an association. Second is the development of a functional nitrogen-fixing association involving the differentiation and behavior of heterocysts, the functional units. Heterocysts are the cellular sites of nitrogen fixation, protecting nitrogenase from inactivation by oxygen. The symbiotic growth state of Nostoc spp. is characterized by a reduced rate of growth, depressed carbon dioxide and ammonium assimilation, transition to a heterotrophic metabolic mode, an elevated heterocyst frequency, and an enhanced rate of nitrogen fixation. In all but one association (cycads), dinitrogen-derived ammonium is made available to the plant partner. Physiological measurements indicate that different reactions of Nostoc photosynthetic carbon dioxide and ammonium assimilation are modulated by the various plant partners. These results appear to support the working hypothesis and indicate that different mechanisms may be operational, allowing for manipulation of different strategies in engineering new plant partners for symbiotic nitrogen fixation.

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  1. Section of Microbiology, University of California, 95616, Davis, CA, USA

    John C. Meeks

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Meeks, J.C. (2007). Physiological Adaptations in Nitrogen-fixing Nostoc–Plant Symbiotic Associations. In: Pawlowski, K. (eds) Prokaryotic Symbionts in Plants. Microbiology Monographs, vol 8. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/7171_2007_101

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