Plant symbiotic mutants are useful tool to uncover the molecular-genetic mechanisms of nodule senescence. The pea (Pisum sativum L.) mutants SGEFix-1 (sym40), SGEFix-3 (sym26), and SGEFix-7 (sym27) display an early nodule senescence phenotype, whereas the mutant SGEFix-2 (sym33) does not show premature degradation of symbiotic structures, but its nodules show an enhanced immune response. The nodules of these mutants were compared with each other and with those of the wild-type SGE line using seven marker genes that are known to be activated during nodule senescence. In wild-type SGE nodules, transcript levels of all of the senescence-associated genes were highest at 6 weeks after inoculation (WAI). The senescence-associated genes showed higher transcript abundance in mutant nodules than in wild-type nodules at 2 WAI and attained maximum levels in the mutant nodules at 4 WAI. Immunolocalization analyses showed that the ethylene precursor 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate accumulated earlier in the mutant nodules than in wild-type nodules. Together, these results showed that nodule senescence was activated in ineffective nodules blocked at different developmental stages in pea lines that harbor mutations in four symbiotic genes.

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The development of nitrogen-fixing nodules formed during Rhizobium–legume symbiosis is strongly controlled by phytohormones. In this study, we investigated the effect of gibberellins (GAs) on senescence of pea (Pisum sativum) symbiotic nodules. Pea wild-type line SGE, as well as corresponding mutant lines SGEFix--1 (sym40), SGEFix--2 (sym33), SGEFix--3 (sym26), and SGEFix--7 (sym27), blocked at different stages of nodule development, were used in the study. An increase in expression of the GA2ox1 gene, encoding an enzyme involved in GA deactivation (GA 2-oxidase), and a decrease in the transcript abundance of the GA20ox1 gene, encoding one of the enzymes involved in GA biosynthesis (GA 20-oxidase), were observed in analyzed genotypes during nodule aging. A reduction in the amount of bioactive GA3 was demonstrated by immunolocalization in the early senescent mutant and wild-type lines during aging of symbiotic nodules. Down-regulated expression of senescence-associated genes encoding cysteine proteases 1 and 15a, thiol protease, bZIP transcription factor, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) synthase, ACC oxidase, and aldehyde oxidase was observed in the nodules of wild-type plants treated with exogenous GA3 relative to the untreated plants. GA3-treated plants also showed increases in nodule size and the nitrogen fixation zone, and decreases in the number of nodules and the senescence zone. Immunogold localization revealed higher levels of GA3 in the peribacteroid spaces in symbiosomes than in the matrix of infection threads. Furthermore, a decrease in GA3 label in mature and senescent symbiosomes in comparison with juvenile symbiosomes was observed. These results suggest a negative effect of GAs on the senescence of the pea symbiotic nodule and possible involvement of GAs in functioning of the mature nodule. Simultaneously, GA3 treatment led to nodule meristem bifurcation, indicating a possible role of GAs in nodule meristem functioning.

Two transgenic strains of Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae, 3841-PsMT1 and 3841-PsMT2, were obtained. These strains contain the genetic constructions nifH-PsMT1 and nifH-PsMT2 coding for two pea (Pisum sativum L.) metallothionein genes, PsMT1 and PsMT2, fused with the promoter region of the nifH gene. The ability of both transgenic strains to form nodules on roots of the pea wild-type SGE and the mutant SGECd t , which is characterized by increased tolerance to and accumulation of cadmium (Cd) in plants, was analyzed. Without Cd treatment, the wild type and mutant SGECd t inoculated with R. leguminosarum strains 3841, 3841-PsMT1, or 3841-PsMT2 were similar histologically and in their ultrastructural organization of nodules. Nodules of wild-type SGE inoculated with strain 3841 and exposed to 0.5 μM CdCl 2 were characterized by an enlarged senescence zone. It was in stark contrast to Cd-treated nodules of the mutant SGECd t that maintained their proper organization. Cadmium treatment of either wild-type SGE or mutant SGECd t did not cause significant alterations in histological organization of nodules formed by strains 3841-PsMT1 and 3841-PsMT2. Although some abnormalities were observed at the ultrastructural level, they were less pronounced in the nodules of strain 3841-PsMT1 than in those formed by 3841-PsMT2. Both transgenic strains also differed in their effects on pea plant growth and the Cd and nutrient contents in shoots. In our opinion, combination of Cd-tolerant mutant SGECd t and the strains 3841-PsMT1 or 3841-PsMT2 may be used as an original model for study of Cd tolerance mechanisms in legume-rhizobial symbiosis and possibilities for its application in phytoremediation or phytostabilization technologies.

A b s t r a c tSenescence is the natural stage in development of symbiotic nodule. As a result of senescence, reutilization of different nutrients from nodule to the other plant organs occurs. Generally senescence in legumes is triggered after flowering finishing, although the first traits of senescence can be observed very early during nodule development. A delay of the triggering of senescence program will allow to prolong the active nitrogen-fixating period and therefore to increase the amount of symbiotrophic nitrogen in plants and, finally, to elevate legume productivity. That is why no wonder that in the recent years the senescence of nitrogen-fixing nodules is actively studied. In this review the main developmental stages of nitrogen-fixing symbiotic nodule of legumes, particularities of symbiotic nodule development of determinate and indeterminate types are considered. In legumes with indeterminate nodules, the symbiosomes are not long-leaving as the infected tissues are permanently renewing due to apical meristem. There are two subsequent stages identified in an indeterminate nodule senescent. First a bacteroid degradation and the death of some infected cells occur, and then both symbiosomes and all infected cells are destroyed. In determinate nodules, the senescence initiated in the central part of a nodule, then extends to the peripheral zone. In this review morphological characters of nodule senescence at ulatrstructural level are analyzed. The role of cysteine and threonine proteases is discussed. Reutilization of nitrogen and other products of protein degradation are probably the most important during senescence. There are the evidences that in the root nodules of legumes the cysteine proteases are involved into nodule functions, adaptation of the host plant cells to physiological stresses, and the nodule senescence control. By a large-scale analysis of nodule transcriptome of Medicago truncatula Gaertn. several groups of genes expressed at successive stages of the senescence of indeterminate nodule are revealed. In this review the role of phytohormones, such as ethylene, abscisic acid, jasmonic acid, gibberellins and nitrogen monooxide in senescence of symbiotic nodule is considered. Nevertheless, until recent days our knowledge about hormonal control of nodule senescence is still incomplete. The oxidative stress, accompanying the process of nodule senescence is discussed. On the nodule aging, the concentrations of peroxides, protein carbonyls, modified DNA nucleotides and catalytic Fe increase. Iron activates lipids peroxidation in a peribacteroid space, resulting in degradation of the peribacteroid membrane in senescent nodules. The concentrations of oxidized glutathione and homoglutathione rise significantly during the nodule development, and the reduced forms decrease under senescence, indicating an oxidative stress in the senescing nodules. In this review the role of genes, encoding proteins involved in transport of wide-range of molecules, and genes, whose products are involved in regulatory...