Structure/function analysis of FegA and FhuA in bradyrhizobium sp.

Author

Alexander James Herd, James Madison University

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.

Date of Graduation

Spring 2019

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science (BS)

Department

Department of Integrated Science and Technology

Advisor(s)

Stephanie Stockwell

Louise M. Temple

Kyle Seifert

Abstract

Bradyrhizobium japonicum is a Gram-negative soil bacterium commonly known for its agriculturally significant mutualistic relationship with soybean. In this symbiosis, the bacteria and plant undergo complex molecular signaling characterized by sent and received signals resulting in the formation of infection threads and root nodules. This research aimed to compare two related bacterial outer membrane proteins, FegA and FhuA, associated with the molecular signaling between the bacteria and plant. Previous work has led to the hypothesis that the N-terminal domain (NTD) of FegA in B. japonicum is needed for a functional symbiosis to occur. Recombinant bacterial strains expressing altered FegA proteins were constructed, verified, and tested for their role in symbiosis. The recombinant FegA protein lacking the full-length NTD (FegA_ΔNTD) was unable to complement a fegAB mutant’s symbiotic defect. Future studies will investigate the stability and function of FegA_ΔNTD.

Recommended Citation

Herd, Alexander James, "Structure/function analysis of FegA and FhuA in bradyrhizobium sp." (2019). Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019. 680.
https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/honors201019/680