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The Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) TDY1 Gene Encodes a Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Homolog

¹Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics, and ²Department of Plant Pathology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul 55108, U.S.A.; ³Department of Biology, Lyon College, Batesville, AR 72503, U.S.A.; ⁴Department of Plant Biology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul 55108, U.S.A.; ⁵US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Plant Science Research Unit, St. Paul, MN 55108, U.S.A.

Development of root nodules, specifically induction of cortical cell division for nodule initiation, requires expression of specific genes in the host and microsymbiont. A full-length cDNA clone and the corresponding genomic clone encoding a MAP (mitogen-activated protein) kinase homolog were isolated from alfalfa (Medicago sativa). The genomic clone, TDY1, encodes a 68.9-kDa protein with 47.7% identity to MMK4, a previously characterized MAP kinase homolog from alfalfa. TDY1 is unique among the known plant MAP kinases, primarily due to a 230 amino acid C-terminal domain. The putative activation motif, Thr-Asp-Tyr (TDY), also differs from the previously reported Thr-Glu-Tyr (TEY) motif in plant MAP kinases. TDY1 messages were found predominantly in root nodules, roots, and root tips. Transgenic alfalfa and Medicago truncatula containing a chimeric gene consisting of 1.8 kbp of 5′ flanking sequence of the TDY1 gene fused to the β-glucuronidase (GUS) coding sequence exhibited GUS expression primarily in the nodule parenchyma, meristem, and vascular bundles, root tips, and root vascular bundles. Stem internodes stained intensely in cortical parenchyma, cambial cells, and primary xylem. GUS activity was observed in leaf mesophyll surrounding areas of mechanical wounding and pathogen invasion. The promoter was also active in root tips and apical meristems of transgenic tobacco. Expression patterns suggest a possible role for TDY1 in initiation and development of nodules and roots, and in localized responses to wounding.

Additional keywords: lucerne, Nicotiana tabacum, phosphorylation, Sinorhizobium meliloti.