Query: NC_007712:2806500 Sodalis glossinidius str. 'morsitans', complete genome
Lineage: Sodalis glossinidius; Sodalis; Enterobacteriaceae; Enterobacteriales; Proteobacteria; Bacteria
General Information: Sodalis glossinidius is known exclusively in endosymbiosis with tsetse flies. It is maternally transmitted, and is one of the few bacterial endosymbionts of insects that can be cultured successfully in vitro. Genome data reveals a high proportion of pseudogenes in this species, many of which were, in their functional state, involved in defense or transport of carbohydrates and inorganic ions. This suggests a degenerative adaptation to the immunity and restricted nutritional status of the host.
Subject: NC_008380:4078670 Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae 3841, complete genome
Lineage: Rhizobium leguminosarum; Rhizobium; Rhizobiaceae; Rhizobiales; Proteobacteria; Bacteria
General Information: This biovar nodulates legumes in the Tribe Viciae (Vicia, Pisum, Lathyrus, Lens). This strain is a spontaneous streptomycin-resistant mutant of strain 300. Nitrogen-fixing plant symbiont. This organism, like other Rhizobia, establishes a symbiotic relationship with a legume plant, providing nitrogen in exchange for a protected environment. The legume roots secrete flavonoids and isoflavonoids which the bacteria recognize and use to turn on genes involved in root nodulation. Many of the root nodulation genes are involved in synthesis and secretion of a nodule inducing signal, a lipochito-oligosaccharide molecule, which the plant recognizes, triggering nodule formation. The bacterium is endocytosed and exists inside a membrane bound organelle, the symbiosome, and fixes nitrogen for the plant cell while the host cell provides carbon compounds for the bacterium to grow on. The nitrogen fixation is important as it obviates the need for expensive and environmentally damaging fertilizer use.