Symbiosis within symbiosis: evolving nitrogen-fixing legume symbionts

Philippe Remigi; Jun Zhu; J Peter W Young; Catherine Masson-Boivin

doi:10.1016/j.tim.2015.10.007

Symbiosis within symbiosis: evolving nitrogen-fixing legume symbionts

Philippe Remigi, Jun Zhu, J Peter W Young, Catherine Masson-Boivin

Biology

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Bacterial accessory genes are genomic symbionts with an evolutionary history and future that is different from that of their hosts. Packages of accessory genes move from strain to strain and confer important adaptations, such as interaction with eukaryotes. The ability to fix nitrogen with legumes is a remarkable example of a complex trait spread by horizontal transfer of a few key symbiotic genes, converting soil bacteria into legume symbionts. Rhizobia belong to hundreds of species restricted to a dozen genera of the Alphaproteobacteria and Betaproteobacteria, suggesting infrequent successful transfer between genera but frequent successful transfer within genera. Here we review the genetic and environmental conditions and selective forces that have shaped evolution of this complex symbiotic trait.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	63-75
Number of pages	13
Journal	Trends in microbiology
Volume	24
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tim.2015.10.007
Publication status	Published - 21 Nov 2015

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10.1016/j.tim.2015.10.007

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0966842X15002462

LEGATO
Young, P. & Friman, V.
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
1/01/14 → 31/12/17
Project: Research project (funded) › Research
Population genomics of bacteria
Young, P.
NATURAL ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH COUNCIL
1/11/06 → 31/12/10
Project: Research project (funded) › Research

Cite this

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Symbiosis within symbiosis: evolving nitrogen-fixing legume symbionts

Abstract

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Projects

LEGATO

Population genomics of bacteria

Cite this