Chapter 13 - Symbiotic functional molecules in endophytic actinobacteria in actinorhizal plants: scientometric profile

Abstract

The actinobacteria genus Frankia has mutualistic relationships with a number of dicotyledonous plant species from eight distinct plant families. Frankia and non-Frankia actinobacteria members generate root nodules in actinorhizal plants. Frankia has been classified into four host-specific categories. Root infections can take two forms including root hair infection and intercellular penetration. Other symbiotic signaling molecules beyond lipochitooligosaccharide are produced by Frankia clusters I and III. In all, 42 signal peptide-containing proteins were discovered in Frankia strains of C. cunninghamiana and C. glauca root nodules, respectively, and 73 and 53 putative secreted proteins comprising signal peptides were discovered in field collected Alnus incana and Elaeagnus angustifolia root nodules, respectively. Scientometric profile may be used to assess the significance, publication data profile, and scope of the symbiotic relationship between actinobacteria and actinorhizal plants.