Nodule organogenesis in Medicago truncatula requires local stage-specific auxin biosynthesis and transport

Abstract

The importance of auxin in plant organ development including root nodule formation is well established. Using auxin reporter constructs the spatiotemporal auxin distribution pattern during nodule development has previously been illustrated. However, our understanding of how this pattern is built-up and maintained still remains elusive. To this end, we studied how the auxin gradient visualized by DR5 expression patterns at different stages of nodule development in Medicago truncatula (Medicago), is correlated with the spatiotemporal expression patterns of known auxin biosynthesis and auxin transport genes. In addition, we record the MtPIN10-GFP expression pattern and polar positioning on the cell plasma membranes during nodule primordium development to investigate the auxin flux. RNA interference and the application of auxin synthesis blockers were used to demonstrate the relevance of biosynthesis and transport at the initial stages of the nodulation process. Our results show that upon rhizobium inoculation, preceding the first mitotic activity, a specific set of MtYUCs and MtPINs as well as MtLAX2 are expressed in the pericycle contributing to the creation of an auxin maximum. Overall, we demonstrate that dynamic spatiotemporal expression of both, MtYUCs and MtPINs, result in specific auxin outputs in subsequent stages of nodule primordia and nodule meristem formation.