The receptor-like cytoplasmic kinase AeRLCK2 mediates Nod-independent rhizobial symbiosis in Aeschynomene legumes
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Many plants interact symbiotically with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi to enhance inorganic phosphorus uptake, and legumes also develop a nodule symbiosis with rhizobia for nitrogen acquisition. The establishment and functioning of both symbioses rely on a common plant signaling pathway activated by structurally related Myc and Nod factors. Recently, a SPARK receptor-like kinase (RLK)/receptor-like cytoplasmic kinase (RLCK) complex was shown to be essential for arbuscular mycorrhiza formation in both monocot and dicot plants. Here, we show that in Aeschynomene legumes, the RLCK component of this receptor complex has undergone a gene duplication event and mediates a unique nodule symbiosis that is independent of rhizobial Nod factors. In Aeschynomene evenia, AeRLCK2 is crucial for nodule initiation but not for arbuscular mycorrhiza symbiosis. Additionally, AeRLCK2 physically interacts with and is phosphorylated by the cysteine-rich RLK, AeCRK, which is also required for nodulation. This finding uncovers an important molecular mechanism that controls the establishment of nodulation and is associated with Nod-independent symbiosis.
Source: The Plant Cell
Authors: Natasha Horta Araújo, David Landry, Johan Quilbé, Marjorie Pervent, Nico Nouwen, Christophe Klopp, Julie Cullimore, Djamel Gully, Céline Vicedo, Virginie Gasciolli, Laurent Brottier, Carole Pichereaux, Martin Racoupeau, Maëlle Rios, Frédéric Gressent, Clémence Chaintreuil, Clare Gough, Eric Giraud, Benoit Lefebvre, Jean-François Arrighi
Institutions: Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement, Université de Montpellier, Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Plant Health Institute de Montpellier, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Laboratoire des Interactions Plantes Microbes Environnement, Université de Toulouse, Genotoul coordination, Mathématiques et Informatique Appliquées Toulouse, Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier, Institut de Pharmacologie et de Biologie Structurale, Fédération de Recherche Agrobiosciences, Interactions et Biodiversité
Language: English
Subfield: Plant Science
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,934
Awards: Genetics of the Nod-independent legume Aeschynomene evenia to shed light on the evolution of rhizobial symbioses and to engineer nitrogen fixation in crop plants, Receptor proteins and redox control at the interface of symbiosis & immunity, Intracellular accommodation of nitrogen-fixing symbiotic bacteria, A new symbiotic pathway for rhizobial infection and nodulation in legumes
OpenAlex ID: W4413140119