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Binding of isolated plant lectin by rhizobia during episodes of reduced gravity obtained by parabolic flightDevelopment of a legume root nodule is a complex process culminating in a plant/bacterial symbiosis possessing the capacity for biological dinitrogen fixation. Formation of root nodules is initiated by the binding and stabilization of rhizobia to plant root hairs, mediated in part by a receptor/ligand recognition system composed of lectins on the plant root surface and lectin-binding sites on the rhizobial cell surface. The dinitrogen fixation activity of these root nodules may be an important feature of enclosed, space-based life support systems, and may provide an ecological method to recycle nitrogen for amino acid production. However, the effects on nodule development of varied gravitational fields, or of root nutrient delivery hardware, remain unknown. We have investigated the effects of microgravity on root nodule formation, with preliminary experiments focused upon the receptor/ligand component. Microgravity, obtained during parabolic flight aboard NASA 930, has no apparent effect on the binding of purified lectin to rhizobia, a result that will facilitate forthcoming experiments using intact root tissues.
Document ID
20040090228
Acquisition Source
Headquarters
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Henry, R. L.
(Kansas State University Manhattan 66506, United States)
Green, P. D.
Wong, P. P.
Guikema, J. A.
Spooner, B. S.
Date Acquired
August 21, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1990
Publication Information
Publication: Plant physiology
Volume: 92
ISSN: 0032-0889
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-1197
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
manned
Non-NASA Center
NASA Discipline Developmental Biology
NASA Discipline Number 93-10
Parabolic Flight
NASA Program NSCORT
short duration
NASA Discipline Cell Biology
Flight Experiment

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