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Nature 425, 569-570 (9 October 2003) | doi:10.1038/425569a

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Plant biology: Locks, keys and symbioses

Martin Parniske1 & J. Allan Downie2

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The association between legumes and nitrogen-fixing bacteria requires molecular recognition to allow bacterial entry into root hairs. The discovery of a novel type of plant receptor clarifies how this happens.

Legumes, such as pea, bean, trefoil and peanut, are agricultural wonders. They form symbioses with bacteria, known as rhizobia, which means that they can make their own nitrogen fertilizer by 'fixing' atmospheric nitrogen.

  1. Sainsbury Laboratory, John Innes Centre,Colney Lane, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK
    Email: martin.parniske@sainsbury-laboratory.ac.uk
  2. Department of Molecular Microbiology, John Innes Centre, Colney Lane, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK
    Email: allan.downie@bbsrc.ac.uk