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Hu, B.* ; Messerer, M. ; Haberer, G. ; Lux, T. ; Marosi, V.B. ; Mayer, K.F.X. ; Oliphant, K.D.* ; Kaufholdt, D.* ; Schulze, J.* ; Kreth, L.S.* ; Jurgeleit, J.* ; Geffers, R.* ; Hänsch, R.* ; Rennenberg, H.*

Genomic and transcriptomic insights into legume-rhizobia symbiosis in the nitrogen-fixing tree Robinia pseudoacacia.

New Phytol., DOI: 10.1111/nph.70101 (2025)
DOI PMC
Robinia pseudoacacia L. (black locust) is a nitrogen (N)-fixing legume tree with significant ecological and agricultural importance. Unlike well-studied herbaceous legumes, R. pseudoacacia is a perennial woody species, representing an understudied group of legume trees that establish symbiosis with Mesorhizobium. Understanding its genomic and transcriptional responses to nodulation provides key insights into N fixation in long-lived plants and their role in ecosystem N cycling. We assembled a high-quality 699.6-Mb reference genome and performed transcriptomic analyses comparing inoculated and noninoculated plants. Differential expression and co-expression network analyses revealed organ-specific regulatory pathways, identifying key genes associated with symbiosis, nutrient transport, and stress adaptation. Unlike Medicago truncatula, which predominantly responds to nodulation in roots, R. pseudoacacia exhibited stem-centered transcriptional reprogramming, with the majority of differentially expressed genes located in stems rather than in roots. Co-expression network analysis identified gene modules associated with "leghemoglobins", metal detoxification, and systemic nutrient allocation, highlighting a coordinated long-distance response to N fixation. This study establishes R. pseudoacacia as a genomic model for nodulating trees, providing essential resources for evolutionary, ecological, and applied research. These findings have significant implications for reforestation, phytoremediation, forestry, and sustainable N management, particularly in depleted, degraded, and contaminated soil ecosystems.
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Publication type Article: Journal article
Document type Scientific Article
Corresponding Author
Keywords Robinia Pseudoacacia L. ; Biological N2 Fixation ; Genome ; Legume ; Rhizobia Inoculation ; Transcriptional Analysis; Rna-seq Data; Sulfur Metabolism; Global Changes; Loess Plateau; Plant-growth; Dna Content; Fixation; Stress; Nodulation; Expression
ISSN (print) / ISBN 0028-646X
e-ISSN 1469-8137
Journal New Phytologist
Publisher Wiley
Publishing Place 111 River St, Hoboken 07030-5774, Nj Usa
Non-patent literature Publications
Reviewing status Peer reviewed
Institute(s) Research Unit Plant Genome and Systems Biology (PGSB)
Grants German Research Foundation (DFG)
Prominent Scientist Program of Chongqing Talents
Double-First Class Initiative Program for Foreign Talents of Southwest University