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Acetylene reduction by legume root nodule protoplasts

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Abstract

NITROGEN-FIXING protoplasts are of obvious importance in physiological studies of the assimilation of atmospheric nitrogen; in investigations of nodule development; in cloning trials for experimental and agricultural purposes1; and in somatic cell hybridisation2–5. Production of such protoplasts has proved elusive, however. Davey et al.6 introduced a technique for the isolation of protoplasts from nodules. Protoplasts prepared by their procedure were incapable of nitrogenase (EC 1.7.99.2)-dependent acetylene reduction7, presumably as a result of the extensive loss of leghaemoglobin during the isolation process7. By modifying the original procedure6, we have obtained naked protoplasts which reduce acetylene after a lag period of about 2 d, and continue to do so for at least 11 d.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Genetics and Cellular Biology, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    W. J. BROUGHTON, K. C. WOOL & C. H. HOH

Authors
  1. W. J. BROUGHTON
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  2. K. C. WOOL
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  3. C. H. HOH
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BROUGHTON, W., WOOL, K. & HOH, C. Acetylene reduction by legume root nodule protoplasts. Nature 262, 208–209 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1038/262208a0

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