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. 1983 Jul;155(1):367–380. doi: 10.1128/jb.155.1.367-380.1983

Ultrastructural analysis of ineffective alfalfa nodules formed by nif::Tn5 mutants of Rhizobium meliloti.

A M Hirsch, M Bang, F M Ausubel
PMCID: PMC217689  PMID: 6575011

Abstract

Ineffective alfalfa nodules formed by Rhizobium meliloti nif::Tn5 mutants were examined by light and electron microscopy. R. meliloti nifH::Tn5 mutants formed nodules that were similar in structure to wild-type nodules except that nifH- bacteroids accumulated a compact, electron-dense body. In contrast to nodules induced by wild type and nifH mutants, nifDK- R. meliloti mutants induced nodules which contained numerous starch grains and prematurely senescent bacteroids. In addition, meristematic activity in nifDK- nodules ceased significantly earlier than in nifH- nodules. All mutant nodules exhibited elevated levels of rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi membranes compared to wild-type nodule cells. These elevated levels may reflect either a response to nitrogen starvation in the ineffective nodules or an abnormal synthesis and export of nodule-specific proteins during later developmental stages.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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