RRC ID 88216
Author Nosaki S, Noda M, Onoda H, Ito M, Suzaki T.
Title The root nodule symbiosis regulator NIN exhibits broad DNA binding specificity conferred by an NLP-inherited motif.
Journal Sci Adv
Abstract Nitrogen-fixing root nodule symbiosis (RNS) occurs in some eudicots, including legumes, and is regulated by the transcription factor NODULE INCEPTION (NIN), derived from the NIN-LIKE PROTEIN (NLP) family. However, how the NIN protein acquired RNS-specific functions remains unclear. We identify a previously undescribed motif in Lotus japonicus NIN, located downstream of the RWP-RK domain, which we term the FR. This motif broadens NIN's DNA binding specificity by stabilizing the RWP-RK dimer interface. nin mutants lacking the FR motif show defective nodulation and impaired nitrogen fixation. Arabidopsis NLP2 carries a NIN-type FR and shares key features with NIN. Furthermore, the NIN-type FR had already emerged before the divergence of gymnosperm and angiosperm lineages, suggesting that a specific molecular feature of NIN involved in RNS regulation was inherited from ancestral NLPs prior to the emergence of RNS.
Volume 12(5)
Pages eaeb8825
Published 2026-1-30
DOI 10.1126/sciadv.aeb8825
PMID 41616063
PMC PMC12857730
MeSH Amino Acid Motifs Arabidopsis / genetics Arabidopsis / metabolism DNA-Binding Proteins* / genetics DNA-Binding Proteins* / metabolism Gene Expression Regulation, Plant Lotus* / genetics Lotus* / metabolism Mutation Nitrogen Fixation / genetics Plant Proteins* / chemistry Plant Proteins* / genetics Plant Proteins* / metabolism Protein Binding Root Nodules, Plant* / genetics Root Nodules, Plant* / metabolism Symbiosis* / genetics Transcription Factors* / chemistry Transcription Factors* / genetics Transcription Factors* / metabolism
IF 13.117
Resource
Lotus / Glycine MG-20