Endosymbiont and host cell differentiation
We have shown that polyploidy, cell growth and loss of cell division ability of the plant cells and their endosymbionts in Medicago root nodules are essential for nitrogen fixation. Plant cell ploidy is induced by the CCS52A protein while the endosymbionts' terminal differentiation is governed by hundreds of symbiotic plant peptides. Present work aims to discover the activity of host peptides and the significance of polyploidy in both partners.
Keywords
Rhizobium-legume symbiosis / root nodule / polyploidy / cell differentiation / antimicrobial peptides / nitrogen fixation