Biosynthesis of lipooligosaccharide nodulation factors: Rhizobium NodA protein is involved in N-acylation of the chitooligosaccharide backbone.

Rhizobium meliloti interacts symbiotically with alfalfa by forming root nodules in which the bacteria fix nitrogen. The Rhizobium nodulation genes nodABC are involved in the synthesis of lipooligosaccharide symbiotic signal molecules, which are mono-N-acylated chitooligosaccharides. These bacterial signals elicit nodule organogenesis in roots of legumes. To elucidate the role of the NodA protein in lipooligosaccharide biosynthesis, we prepared a radiolabeled tetrasaccharide precursor carrying an amino group as a potential attachment site for N-acylation at the nonreducing glucosamine residue. Various criteria demonstrate that NodA is involved in the attachment of a fatty acyl chain to this tetrasaccharide precursor, yielding a biologically active nodulation factor.