Evidence for a Nod-like signalling system in cyanobacterial symbiosis with O. sativa

Abstract

Symbiotic interactions between plants and nitrogen-fixing microorganisms are essential for sustainable agriculture, yet the molecular mechanisms underlying plant-cyanobacterium symbiosis remain poorly understood. In particular, the nature of the signalling mechanisms mediating partner recognition in associations involving Nostoc species is largely unknown. Recent proteomic analyses have identified proteins homologous to rhizobial Nod factors biosynthetic enzymes in Nostoc punctiforme, suggesting the existence of a Nod-like signalling system. However, the functional role of these components has not been experimentally validated. Here, we investigate the contribution of nod-like biosynthetic and regulatory genes to symbiosis by analysing mutants of N. punctiforme affected in genes with homology to nodB and nodD. Phenotypic characterization revealed that disruption of nodB-like genes does not impair free-living growth but affects early stages of plant association and colonization. Specifically, the nodB1 mutant is impaired in plant association and shows a mild defect in colonization, whereas the nodB3 mutant exhibits a severe defect in colonization. In contrast, nodD-like mutants exhibited altered symbiotic phenotypes, with specific regulators differentially affecting interaction and colonization efficiency in rice (Oryza sativa). In particular, mutation of nodD2 and nodD3 reduced plant association and severely compromised colonization in Oryza sativa, with a more pronounced phenotype in nodD3 mutant. Altogether, our results provide genetic evidence supporting the involvement of Nod-like components in cyanobacterial symbiosis and suggest the existence of a regulatory and biosynthetic module contributing to plant colonization. These findings shed new light on the evolution and diversity of symbiotic signalling mechanisms across plant-microbe interactions.