To establish compatible rhizobial-legume symbioses, plant roots support bacterial infection via host-derived infection threads (ITs). Here, we report the requirement of plant flotillin-like genes (FLOTs) in Sinorhizobium meliloti infection of its host legume Medicago truncatula. Flotillins in other organisms have roles in viral pathogenesis, endocytosis, and membrane shaping. We identified seve...

The proteome of a Medicago truncatula cell suspension culture was analyzed using two-dimensional electrophoresis and nanoscale HPLC coupled to a tandem Q-TOF mass spectrometer (QSTAR Pulsar i) to yield an extensive protein reference map. Coomassie Brilliant Blue R-250 was used to visualize more than 1661 proteins, which were excised, subjected to in-gel trypsin digestion, and analyzed using nan...

The proportion of starch, protein and oil in legume seeds is species dependent. The model legume, Medicago truncatula, has predominantly oil and protein stores. To investigate the regulation of seed oil production we compared M. truncatula with M. orbicularis, which has less oil and protein. The types of protein and fatty acids are similar between the two species. Electron microscopy indicated ...

The proteome of a Medicago truncatula cell suspension culture was analyzed using two-dimensional electrophoresis and nanoscale HPLC coupled to a tandem QTOF mass spectrometer (QSTAR Pulsar i) to yield an extensive protein reference map. Coomassie Brilliant Blue R-250 was used to visualize more than 1661 proteins, which were excised, subjected to in-gel trypsin digestion, and analyzed using nano...

Legumes engage in root nodule symbioses with nitrogen-fixing soil bacteria known as rhizobia. In nodule cells, bacteria are enclosed in membrane-bound vesicles called symbiosomes and differentiate into bacteroids that are capable of converting atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia. Bacteroid differentiation and prolonged intracellular survival are essential for development of functional nodules. Ho...

Field investigations on the habitats colonized by Galba truncatula or Omphiscola glabra were carried out on 162 farms of the Limousin region, Central France, to determine whether there is currently a decline in the number and size of snail populations. Seven types of snail habitats were considered here. Compared to the numbers of snail populations recorded from 1976 to 1992, the values noted fr...

Understanding the outcome of the plant-microbe symbiosis in reduced or altered is vital to developing life support systems for long-distance space travel and colonization of other planets. Thus, the aim of this research was to understand mutualistic relationships between plants and endophytic microbes under the influence of altered gravity. This project utilized the model tripartite relationshi...

This paper focuses on the geographical distribution and habitats of Lymnaea truncatula, the intermediate, snail host of the liver fluke, Fasciola hepatica, as reflected by the 723 samples in the database of the National Freshwater Snail Collection, Potchefstroom, South Africa. The 221 different loci (1/16-degree squares) on record reflect an extensive but discontinuous distribution, except in L...

Sinorhizobium meliloti differentiates into persisting, nitrogen-fixing bacteroids within root nodules of the legume Medicago truncatula. Nodule-specific cysteine-rich antimicrobial peptides (NCR AMPs) and the bacterial BacA protein are essential for bacteroid development. However, the bacterial factors central to the NCR AMP response and the in planta role of BacA are unknown. We investigated t...

The mutagenic effects of low-energy ions have been identified by genetic studies for decades. Due to the short penetration distance of ions, however, the underlying mechanism(s) is still not quite clarified. Recently, increasing data have been accumulated concerning the existence and manifestation of radiation induced bystander/abscopal effects in vivo in the whole-organism environment. In this...