Characterization of spermidine and spermine synthases in Lotus japonicus: induction and spatial organization of polyamine biosynthesis in nitrogen fixing nodules

Abstract

The biosynthesis of the polyamines spermidine (Spd) and spermine (Spm) from putrescine (Put) is catalysed by the consequent action of two aminopropyltransferases, spermidine synthase (SPDS EC: 2.5.1.16) and spermine synthase (SPMS EC: 2.5.1.22). Two cDNA clones coding for SPDS and SPMS homologues in the nitrogen-fixing nodules of the model legume Lotus japonicus were identified. Functionality of the encoded polypeptides was confirmed by their ability to complement spermidine and spermine deficiencies in yeast. The temporal and spatial expression pattern of the respective genes was correlated with the accumulation of total polyamines in symbiotic and non-symbiotic organs. Expression of both genes was maximal at early stages of nodule development, while at later stages the levels of both transcripts declined. Both genes were expressed in nodule inner cortical cells, vascular bundles, and central tissue. In contrast to gene expression, increasing amounts of Put, Spd, and Spm were found to accumulate during nodule development and after maturity. Interestingly, nodulated plants exhibited systemic changes in both LjSPDS and LjSPMS transcript levels and polyamine content in roots, stem and leaves, in comparison to uninoculated plants. These results give new insights into the neglected role of polyamines during nodule development and symbiotic nitrogen fixation (SNF).

Bacterial and Plant Signal Integration via D3-Type Cyclins Enhances Symptom Development in the Arabidopsis-Rhodococcus fasciansInteraction

“…Moreover, high concentrations of polyamines are found in stem and root nodules of different leguminous plants. For instance, during root nodule development on Lotus japonicus, Put accumulates as a consequence of increased expression of the biosynthetic genes, suggesting the involvement of polyamines in nodule development (Efrose et al, 2008). Finally, Spd has been identified as a novel and potent molecule of parasitic success of the cyst nematode Heterodera schachtii (Hewezi et al, 2010).…”

Tissue-specific expression of olive S-adenosyl methionine decarboxylase and spermidine synthase genes and polyamine metabolism during flower opening and early fruit development

“…S2). The deduced amino acid sequence of OeSPDS was 83, 82, 79 and 78% identical to that encoded by the cDNAs for SPDS obtained from Panax ginseng (GQ229380.1), Lotus japonicus (AM494000; Efrose et al 2008), Pisum sativum (AF043108; Alabadi and Carbonell 1999) and Malus domestica (AB072915.2; Zhang et al 2003), respectively. OeSPDS contained the characteristic motifs (motifs I, II, III, V and VI) present in all members of the aminopropyl-transferase family (Fig.…”

“…Generally, it is well known that SAMDC is an important enzyme in the regulation of PA homeostasis in all organisms and it is considered to be the rate-limiting enzyme for the synthesis of plant Spd and Spm (Kusano et al 2008). Genes encoding SAMDC and SPDS have been successfully cloned from several plant species (Schröder and Schröder 1995;Dresselhaus et al 1996;Hashimoto et al 1998;Alabadi and Carbonell 1999;Marco and Carrasco 2002;Zhang et al 2003;Ziosi et al 2003;Tassoni et al 2007;Efrose et al 2008). Although SAMDC and SPDS enzymes appear to be ubiquitous in plants, their tissue and subcellular localization has not yet been elucidated.…”

“…Although SAMDC and SPDS enzymes appear to be ubiquitous in plants, their tissue and subcellular localization has not yet been elucidated. When compared with ADC and ODC (Borrell et al 1995;Delis et al 2005;Niemi et al 2006), only a few reports treat the localization of SAMDC and SPDS in plants ( Kim et al 2004;Efrose et al 2008). Recently, in situ hybridization has revealed that SPSD transcripts were found in vascular bundles, the nodule inner cortex and central tissue of Lotus japonicus root nodules (Efrose et al 2008).…”

“…When compared with ADC and ODC (Borrell et al 1995;Delis et al 2005;Niemi et al 2006), only a few reports treat the localization of SAMDC and SPDS in plants ( Kim et al 2004;Efrose et al 2008). Recently, in situ hybridization has revealed that SPSD transcripts were found in vascular bundles, the nodule inner cortex and central tissue of Lotus japonicus root nodules (Efrose et al 2008). In addition, there is a dearth of knowledge on the physiological function of SAMDC and SPDS in stone fruit because only a peach SAMDC and SPDS gene has been isolated so far (Ziosi et al 2003;Liu et al 2006b).…”