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Laboratory Exercise
PCR Analysis of expR Gene Regulating Biosynthesis of Exopolysaccharides in Sinorhizobium meliloti
Article first published online: 7 DEC 2011
DOI: 10.1002/bmb.20560
Copyright © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Issue
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education
Volume 40, Issue 2, pages 108–111, March/April 2012
Additional Information
How to Cite
Sorroche, F. G. and Giordano, W. (2012), PCR Analysis of expR Gene Regulating Biosynthesis of Exopolysaccharides in Sinorhizobium meliloti. Biochem. Mol. Biol. Educ., 40: 108–111. doi: 10.1002/bmb.20560
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Publication History
- Issue published online: 14 MAR 2012
- Article first published online: 7 DEC 2011
- Manuscript Revised: 7 SEP 2011
- Manuscript Received: 26 JUN 2011
- Abstract
- Article
- References
- Cited By
Keywords:
- expR gen;
- PCR;
- exopolysaccharides;
- rhizobacteria
Abstract
Exopolysaccharide (EPS) production by the rhizobacterium Sinorhizobium meliloti is essential for root nodule formation on its legume host (alfalfa), and for establishment of a nitrogen-fixing symbiosis between the two partners. Production of EPS II (galactoglucan) by certain S. meliloti strains results in a mucoid colony phenotype. Other strains that are unable to produce EPS II display a dry phenotype, due to the presence of an insertion element in the gene expR, a key regulator involved in many important cellular processes, including production of low-molecular-weight EPS II. We describe a series of three programmed undergraduate biochemistry laboratory classes teaching PCR and electrophoresis procedures to detect non-functional expR loci in S. meliloti.