meliloti has not been investigated previously. Consequently, the expression of the nodC promoter was tested in GR4C5, a GR4-derivative nodC mutant,

and compared with its activity in the tep1 mutant or in the wild type. The results (Table 2) show that in contrast to B. japonicum in which nod gene expression is elevated in a nodC mutant (1.6 fold) [19], nod gene expression is reduced 2.8 fold in the S. meliloti nodC mutant strain, reaching levels very similar to those shown by the tep1 mutant strain. This result indicates that in S. meliloti i) there is no feedback regulation of nod genes, and ii) a compound or compounds whose intracellular concentration is affected by the lack of NodC activity, interferes with nod gene induction. One of the most probable consequences of the lack of NodC activity is the accumulation of precursors of the Nod RG7420 order factor chitin backbone. To test whether changes in the concentration of these precursors could be responsible A-1210477 datasheet for the effects observed in the nodC and tep1 buy XAV-939 mutant, we decided to investigate how glucosamine and N-acetyl glucosamine influence both nod gene regulation in S. meliloti and nodulation of alfalfa plants. Table 2 nod gene expression in S. meliloti

GR4, the tep1 mutant and a nodC mutant. Strain β-galactosidase activity (Miller U) GR4 (wt) 387 ± 48 GR4T1 (tep1) 144 ± 24 GR4C5 (nodC) 137 ± 34 β-galactosidase activity of the nodC::lacZ fusion was measured after bacteria had been incubated with 5 μM luteolin. Mean values and standard errors (95% confidence) were calculated from three independent experiments. Effect of glucosamine and N-acetyl glucosamine in nod gene expression in S. meliloti and on nodulation of Thalidomide alfalfa To determine the possible role of core Nod factor precursors in nod gene regulation, studies were performed with glucosamine or N-acetyl glucosamine. The addition

of glucosamine does not affect nod gene expression significantly in S. meliloti GR4 even when up to 50 mM glucosamine was added (data not shown). However, the addition of 5 mM N-acetly glucosamine reduces activity by more than 50% (Table 3). At higher concentrations (up to 50 mM) of N-acetly glucosamine the level of nod gene activity remains unchanged from that observed with 5 mM. Lower concentrations of the aminosugar (50 μM), only led to a slight reduction in nodC gene expression (data not shown). This indicates that in S. meliloti GR4, N-acetyl glucosamine can reduce nod gene expression. Table 3 nod gene expression in S. meliloti GR4 with different concentrations of N-acetyl glucosamine. mM NAGA β-galactosidase activity (Miller U) 0 828 ± 251 5 425 ± 100 20 369 ± 112 50 412 ± 107 Expression of a nodC::lacZ fusion was measured in S. meliloti GR4 induced previously with 5 μM luteolin and different concentrations of N-acetyl glucosamine (NAGA). Mean values and standard errors (95% confidence) were calculated from three independent experiments.