Aspartate aminotransferase in alfalfa nodules: Localization of mRNA during effective and ineffective nodule development and promoter analysis

Aspartate aminotransferase (AAT) plays a critical role in the assimilation of symbiotically fixed nitrogen into aspartate and asparagine in legume root nodules. The enzyme occurs as a cytosolic form (AAT1) and a plastid form (AAT2) in alfalfa nodules. To elucidate the functional role of each isozyme in root nodule metabolism further, in situ hybridization was used to determine the pattern of transcript accumulation from the two genes. AAT2 transcripts were localized to infected cells throughout the symbiotic zone of effective alfalfa nodules; however, expression was reduced in ineffective nodules. The AAT1 gene was expressed in the uninfected cells of the invasion zone and symbiotic zone, the nodule parenchyma, and nodule vascular bundles of both effective and ineffective nodules. The AAT1 and AAT2 promoters were evaluated in transgenic alfalfa plants containing promoter β-glucuronidase (GUS) gene fusions. Histochemical staining patterns agreed with results from in situ localization. The distribution pattern of gene transcripts suggests that AAT1 has a role in maintenance of the O₂ diffusion barrier in nodules and that AAT2 plays a major role in assimilation of recently fixed nitrogen. Promoter deletion analysis of the AAT2 promoter revealed that nodule-specific expression was retained in a promoter fragment of 300 bp.