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Published on December 19, 2008; 10.1104/pp.108.129601

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Received September 8, 2008
Accepted December 12, 2008

Overexpression of flavodoxin in bacteroids induces changes in antioxidant metabolism leading to delayed senescence and starch accumulation in alfalfa root nodules

Francisco J. Redondo , Teodoro Coba de la Pena , Cesar N. Morcillo , M. Mercedes Lucas , and Jose J. Pueyo *

Department of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Instituto de Recursos Naturales, Centro de Ciencias Medioambientales, CSIC, Serrano 115-bis, E-28006 Madrid, Spain

* Corresponding author; email: pueyo{at}ccma.csic.es.

Sinorhizobium meliloti cells were engineered to overexpress Anabaena variabilis flavodoxin, a protein that is involved in the response to oxidative stress. Nodule natural senescence was characterized in Medicago sativa plants nodulated by the flavodoxin-overexpressing rhizobia, or the corresponding control bacteria. The decline of nitrogenase activity and the nodule structural and ultrastructural alterations that are associated to nodule senescence were significantly delayed in flavodoxin-expressing nodules. Substantial changes in nodule antioxidant metabolism, involving antioxidant enzymes and ascorbate-glutathione cycle enzymes and metabolites, were detected in flavodoxin-containing nodules. Lipid peroxidation was also significantly lower in flavodoxin-expressing nodules than in control nodules. The observed amelioration of the oxidative balance suggests that the delay in nodule senescence was most likely due to a role of the protein in reactive oxygen species detoxification. Flavodoxin overexpression also led to high starch accumulation in nodules, without reduction of the nitrogen-fixing activity.






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