DELLA-mediated gibberellin signalling regulates Nod factor signalling and rhizobial infection

Nat Commun. 2016 Sep 2:7:12636. doi: 10.1038/ncomms12636.

Abstract

Legumes develop symbiotic interactions with rhizobial bacteria to form nitrogen-fixing nodules. Bacterial Nod factors (NFs) and plant regulatory pathways modulating NF signalling control rhizobial infections and nodulation efficiency. Here we show that gibberellin (GA) signalling mediated by DELLA proteins inhibits rhizobial infections and controls the NF induction of the infection marker ENOD11 in Medicago truncatula. Ectopic expression of a constitutively active DELLA protein in the epidermis is sufficient to promote ENOD11 expression in the absence of symbiotic signals. We show using heterologous systems that DELLA proteins can interact with the nodulation signalling pathway 2 (NSP2) and nuclear factor-YA1 (NF-YA1) transcription factors that are essential for the activation of NF responses. Furthermore, MtDELLA1 can bind the ERN1 (ERF required for nodulation 1) promoter and positively transactivate its expression. Overall, we propose that GA-dependent action of DELLA proteins may directly regulate the NSP1/NSP2 and NF-YA1 activation of ERN1 transcription to regulate rhizobial infections.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • CCAAT-Binding Factor / metabolism
  • Gibberellins / metabolism*
  • Lipopolysaccharides / metabolism
  • Medicago truncatula / genetics
  • Medicago truncatula / microbiology*
  • Plant Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Plant Proteins / metabolism
  • Plant Root Nodulation / physiology*
  • Root Nodules, Plant / microbiology*
  • Signal Transduction
  • Sinorhizobium meliloti / growth & development
  • Sinorhizobium meliloti / metabolism*

Substances

  • CCAAT-Binding Factor
  • ENOD11 protein, Medicago truncatula
  • Gibberellins
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • Plant Proteins