- Autor(in)
- Seitenbereich
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029-035
- Schlagwort(e)
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G-protein signaling mechanisms, nodulation, phosphorylation,
heterotrimeric G-proteins, RGS proteins, receptor like kinases
- Zusammenfsg.
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Signaling pathways mediated by heterotrimeric G-protein complex comprising Gα, Gβ and Gγ subunits of the trimer and their regulatory RGS (Regulator of G-protein Signaling) protein are hallmarks of all eukaryotes. Multiple pharmacological experiments had suggested the role of G-proteins in the regulation of nodule formation. We have confirmed, using molecular genetic analysis, that the G-protein complex is intricately involved in both the early and late events during nodulation. We show that during nodulation the G-protein cycle is regulated by the activity of RGS proteins because their lower or higher expression results in fewer or more nodules, respectively. We also demonstrate the role of nod factor receptor (NFR1)-mediated phosphorylation in the regulation of G-protein cycle during nodulation in soybean. NFR1 interacts with and phosphorylates RGS proteins. Introduction of the phosphomimic version of RGS protein in the non-nodulating nod49 mutants results in partial restoration of nodule formation, confirming that at least one of the roles of the nod factor receptors is to phosphorylate RGS proteins, which facilitates nodule formation. Overall, these data present a novel mechanism of the regulation of G-protein cycle by plant-specific receptors during soybean nodulation.