05.372 - Sponteneous Nodule Factor Snf1

Patent Reference:  International Patent Publication Number WO2007/006318

Professor Jens Stougaard
Aarhus University (Denmark) 

Researchers at the University of Aarhus led by Prof Jens Stougaard have shown that specific mutations in a gene (Snf1) encoding a calcium/calmodulin dependent protein kinase in the model legume Lotus japonicus cause spontaneous root nodule formation in the absence of nitrogen-fixing Rhizobium species and/or their produced nodulation factors. Expression of such mutant genes may potentially be useful as a tool for establishing nitrogen-fixing Rhizobium interactions in non-nodulating plants such as cereals and for providing increased/improved nodulation in legumes.

Oldroyd GE and Downie JA (2004).  Calcium, kinases and nodulation signalling in legumes.  Nature Rev Mol Cell Biol: 5, 566-576.

Contact: Dr Jan Chojecki 

Download non-confidential summary (PDF): Click here