Rhizobia transform legume nodules via native T-DNA transfer systems

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1. Close Another approach to the problem Not relevant

   A broad-host-range Rhizobium rhizogenes strain enables transient expression across diverse crop species

   Freddie J. King, Juan Carlos Lopez-Agudelo, Christopher Stephens et al. · 2026 · PLoS Biology · Not summarized yet

   AS109 enables transient gene expression across diverse crop species, whereas this paper tests native rhizobial T-DNA transfer into legume nodules.

   Abstract

   Agrobacterium-mediated transient expression has revolutionised plant research, enabling numerous landmark discoveries across diverse areas of plant biology. Yet this powerful approach remains largely confined to solanaceous species, leaving most economically important crop families without a comparable rapid assay platform. Here, we show that an engineered Rhizobium rhizogenes strain, AS109, mediates efficient transient expression across diverse dicot species spanning multiple taxonomic families, consistently outperforming commonly used laboratory agrobacterial strains. Leveraging the broad host range of AS109, we establish a suite of functional assays in faba bean (Vicia faba), including pr…

2. Close Broader context Not relevant

   Transcriptional silencing of a conjugative Sinorhizobium megaplasmid upon transfer to different rhizobial species

   Cristina Robles de la Cruz, L. Cervantes, G. Torres Tejerizo et al. · 2026 · Frontiers in Microbiology · Not summarized yet

   This study examines host-dependent silencing after conjugative megaplasmid transfer between rhizobia, rather than bacteria-to-plant DNA transfer.

   Abstract

   Horizontal gene transfer of large conjugative megaplasmids drives bacterial evolution, however, it forces new hosts to rapidly adapt to a massive influx of exogenous DNA; even the acquisition of small plasmids can have variable effects on host genome activity and fitness. In Sinorhizobium fredii GR64 (symbiont of the common bean) the megaplasmid pSfr64a (191 kb) displays a high conjugative transfer rate. Interestingly, when pSfr64a is transferred to Rhizobium etli (another bean symbiont) conjugative transfer from this host became nearly undetectable, whereas in Agrobacterium tumefaciens it is maintained at a high rate. To unravel the host-plasmid dynamics driving this host-specific response,…

3. Close Another approach to the problem Not relevant

   DipTRANS: an improved method for in planta transformation and genome engineering in Nicotiana benthamiana.

   Fa-Zhan Qi, Wei-Wei Chen, Jon P. Cody et al. · 2026 · Trends in Biotechnology · Not summarized yet

   DipTRANS uses Agrobacterium to engineer Nicotiana plants through induced meristems, whereas this paper examines natural rhizobial T-DNA delivery.

   Abstract

   Plant transformation remains constrained by labor-intensive tissue culture. Our previous work showed that direct delivery of developmental regulators (DRs) can induce de novo meristems on plants, offering a promising transformation approach. In this resource article, we introduced DipTRANS (Direct in planta Transformation), an optimized, soil-based heritable transformation platform for Nicotiana benthamiana that bypasses sterile culture entirely. DipTRANS is built on DR-induced de novo meristem formation. After optimizing parameters, including regulator combinations, Agrobacterium strain, and infiltration density, DipTRANS yielded transformation efficiencies to 46.7%. Developmental abnormali…

4. Close Broader context Not relevant

   Type III effectors of symbiotic Rhizobia include diverse predicted transcriptional and post-transcriptional modulators

   Albin Teulet, S. Schornack · 2026 · PLoS Biology · Not summarized yet

   This study characterizes rhizobial type III effectors that modulate host gene regulation, not the T-DNA cargo and transfer systems examined here.

   Abstract

   Rhizobia are soil bacteria that establish nitrogen-fixing symbioses with legumes. While many rhizobia use a Type III Secretion System to deliver “Nodulation Outer Protein” (Nop) effectors, some uniquely use these proteins to initiate nodule organogenesis, bypassing classical signalling. The molecular functions of these effectors remain largely unknown due to extreme sequence divergence. Using AlphaFold2-mediated structural proteomics, we identified a modular architecture in rhizobial effectors composed of 22 distinct structural units. We reveal that many Nop effectors are cryptic transcriptional or post-transcriptional regulators, harbouring unrecognised nucleic acid–binding modules and RNA-…

5. Close Broader context Not relevant

   Rhizobial type III effectors as regulators of root-nodule symbiosis in legumes.

   Alicia Camuel, Albin Teulet, P. del Cerro · 2026 · Journal of Experimental Botany · Not summarized yet

   This review discusses how rhizobial type III effectors regulate legume nodule symbiosis, rather than rhizobial T-DNA transfer.

   Abstract

   The rhizobia-legume nitrogen-fixing symbiosis begins when plants perceive rhizobial Nod factors (NF), activating the Common Symbiosis Signalling Pathway (CSSP) that drives nodule organogenesis. Rhizobia also inject Type III effectors (T3E) into host cells through a Type III Secretion System (T3SS) related to those of pathogenic bacteria. These effectors were long viewed only as suppressors of plant immunity and determinants of host compatibility, but this picture has changed. Recent studies revealed that rhizobial effectors (known as Nodulation Outer Proteins, Nops) such as NopT, NopM, NopL, NopP and NopZ directly target NF receptors or associated kinases, thereby regulating CSSP activation.…

6. Close Broader context Not relevant

   Genetic code expansion enables plant-directed control of bacterial activity.

   Vivian Zhong, Michaela A. Jones, Avaniek Cabales et al. · 2026 · Nature Biotechnology · Not summarized yet

   This study engineers bacterial protein synthesis to control microbial activity near plants, rather than transferring bacterial DNA into plant cells.

   Abstract

   Microorganisms have the potential to deliver growth-promoting benefits to plants and crops; however, to be useful in a field setting, their gene expression should be programmable and restricted to specific plant hosts and conditions. Here, using O-methyl-L-tyrosine (OMY) as a model compound, we establish noncanonical amino acids (ncAAs) as a tool for plant-based control of associated microbial activity. We use genetic code expansion to engineer OMY-dependent control of protein synthesis in the soil bacterium Bacillus subtilis. Engineered B. subtilis strains express an orthogonal aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase and tRNA pair that, upon provision of OMY, results in suppression of in-frame amber stop…

7. Close Another approach to the problem Not relevant

   Establishment of an efficient Agrobacterium rhizogenes-mediated hairy root transformation system for functional analysis in tomato

   Si-Yi Zhang, Long-Zhu Huang, Jun-Jie Liu et al. · 2026 · Frontiers in Plant Science · Not summarized yet

   This study optimizes Agrobacterium rhizogenes-mediated tomato hairy-root transformation, whereas this paper tests native rhizobial DNA transfer in legume nodules.

   Abstract

   Tomato is an important model for functional genomics in Solanaceae, and elucidating its gene functions provides valuable insights into conserved genetic regulatory networks across dicotyledonous plants. Hairy root transformation is a key technology for functional studies in tomato. However, systematic optimization of its parameters remains limited. Here, we established an efficient Agrobacterium rhizogenes-mediated hairy root transformation system for tomato cv. Micro-Tom. Using the RUBY visual reporter gene, we systematically evaluated multiple parameters, including A. rhizogenes strain, bacterial optical density (OD600), inoculation duration, acetosyringone (AS) concentration, and the type…

8. Close Broader context Not relevant

   Suppression of plant immune responses enhances Agrobacterium-mediated transient expression in Nicotiana benthamiana.

   Yun-Jee Kang, Fen Xie, Ge Bai et al. · 2026 · Plant Science · Not summarized yet

   This study investigates plant immune responses during Agrobacterium transient expression, while this paper focuses on the diversity and function of T-DNA transfer systems.

   Abstract

   Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transient expression in Nicotiana benthamiana is widely used for recombinant protein production and gene-function studies. However, agroinfiltration can activate host stress and defense responses, thereby limiting heterologous protein accumulation. To distinguish Agrobacterium-associated transcriptional responses from effects of the infiltration procedure, we performed RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) using an infection group (GV3101 carrying empty p1300), a buffer-only mock-infiltration group (Mock), and untreated wild-type (WT) plants. Relative to the mock group, the infection group contained 3,529 upregulated and 2,487 downregulated differentially expressed gene…