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Identification of nifE-, nifN- and nifS-like genes in Bradyrhizobium japonicum

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Summary

The 17 kb region between the Bradyrhizobium japonicum nitrogenase genes (nifDK and nifH) was investigated for the presence of further nif or fix genes by site-directed insertion or deletion/replacement mutagenesis and interspecies hybridization. Mutant strains were tested for their ability to reduce acetylene in free-living, microaerobic culture (Nif phenotype) and in soybean root nodules (Fix phenotype). The presence of a gene, previously identified by hybridization with the Klebsiella pneumoniae nifB gene, was proved by isolation of a nifB insertion mutant which was completely Nif- and Fix-. Three other regions were found to be homologous to the K. pneumoniae genes nifE, nifN, and nifS, NifE and nifN insertion mutants were completely Nif-/Fix- whereas nifS mutants were leaky with 30% residual Fix activity. Taken together, the data show that the B. japonicum genome harbours a cluster of closely adjacent genes which are directly concerned with nitrogenase function.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mikrobiologisches Institut, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule, ETH-Zentrum, Universitätsstraße 2, CH-8092, Zürich

    Sabine Ebeling, Matthias Hahn, Hans-Martin Fischer & Hauke Hennecke

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  1. Sabine Ebeling
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  2. Matthias Hahn
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  3. Hans-Martin Fischer
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  4. Hauke Hennecke
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Communicated by J. Schell

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Ebeling, S., Hahn, M., Fischer, HM. et al. Identification of nifE-, nifN- and nifS-like genes in Bradyrhizobium japonicum . Mol Gen Genet 207, 503–508 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00331622

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00331622

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