Disease relevance of nodM

• Here, we demonstrate that nodM and nodN genes from Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar viciae restore the root hair deformation activity of exudates of the corresponding R. meliloti mutant strains [1].

High impact information on nodM

• In addition, it was shown that the nodM and nodN genes are in one operon which is preceded by a conserved 'nod-box' sequence, whereas the nodL gene is in the same operon as the nodFE genes [2].
• Rhizobium nodM and nodN genes are common nod genes: nodM encodes functions for efficiency of nod signal production and bacteroid maturation [1].
• In nodulation assays, galactosamine and N-acetylglucosamine could substitute for glucosamine in the suppression of the R. meliloti nodM mutation, although N-acetylglucosamine was less efficient [1].
• We observed that in nodules induced by nodM mutants, the bacteroids did not show complete development or were deteriorated, resulting in decreased nitrogen fixation and, consequently, lower dry weights of the plants [1].
• This mutant phenotype could also be suppressed by exogenously supplied glucosamine, N-acetylglucosamine, and galactosamine and to a lesser extent by glucosamine-6-phosphate, indicating that the nodM mutant bacteroids are limited for glucosamine [1].

Biological context of nodM

• Based on sequence homology, the first open reading frame (ORF) corresponds to the nodM gene and the last to the nodN gene of Rhizobium leguminosarum [3].

Associations of nodM with chemical compounds

• Our data indicate that both the nodM and nodN genes of the two species have common functions and confirm that NodM is a glucosamine synthase with the biochemical role of providing sufficient amounts of the sugar moiety for the synthesis of the glucosamine oligosaccharide signal molecules [1].

References