Early Phosphorylated Protein 1 is required to activate the early rhizobial infection program.

This article explores the role of Early Phosphorylated Protein 1 (EPP1) in the common symbiosis signaling pathway in Medicago truncatula, a legume plant. The study reveals that EPP1 is phosphorylated and its expression is dependent on the perception of Nod Factors (NF) released by rhizobia bacteria. When EPP1 is downregulated, there is a decrease in calcium spiking and a significant reduction in nodule formation. On the other hand, overexpression of EPP1 leads to increased activation of symbiotic responses. These findings suggest that EPP1 plays a crucial role in the early stages of rhizobial infection and the common symbiosis signaling pathway. Another study investigates the role of a protein called MtEPP1 in the symbiotic relationship between Medicago truncatula plants and rhizobia bacteria. The researchers discover that overexpression of a phosphorylated version of MtEPP1 results in increased root-hair branching and nodule formation in the plants. They also observe that the overexpression of MtEPP1 activates the expression of symbiotic genes involved in early signaling, rhizobial infection, and nodule development. However, the overexpression of MtEPP1 does not lead to the formation of spontaneous nodules. The findings suggest that MtEPP1 plays a crucial role in activating the common symbiotic signaling pathway in M. truncatula plants. [Extracted from the article]