The Proteogenome of Symbiotic Frankia alni in Alnus glutinosa Nodules

Omics are the most promising approaches to investigate microbes for which no genetic tools exist such as the nitrogen-fixing symbiotic Frankia. A proteogenomic analysis of symbiotic Frankia alni was done by comparing those proteins more and less abundant in Alnus glutinosa nodules relative to N-2-fixing pure cultures with propionate as the carbon source. There were 250 proteins that were significantly overabundant in nodules at a fold change (FC) >= 2 threshold, and 1429 with the same characteristics in in vitro nitrogen-fixing pure culture. Nitrogenase, SuF (Fe-Su biogenesis) and hopanoid lipids synthesis determinants were the most overabundant proteins in symbiosis. Nitrogenase was found to constitute 3% of all Frankia proteins in nodules. Sod (superoxide dismutase) was overabundant, indicating a continued oxidative stress, while Kats (catalase) were not. Several transporters were overabundant including one for dicarboxylates and one for branched amino acids. The present results confirm the centrality of nitrogenase in the actinorhizal symbiosis.

Automated summary

Omics is a promising approach to study microbes with no genetic tools, and a proteogenomic analysis was conducted on the nitrogen-fixing symbiotic Frankia. The study found that specific proteins, such as nitrogenase and superoxide dismutase, were overabundant in Alnus glutinosa nodules, indicating their crucial roles in the symbiosis.