ABSTRACT During a symbiotic interaction, there is a molecular dialogue between rhizobia and the root of legume plants. Legume roots exude flavonoids that induce the expression of bacterial nodulation genes, which encode proteins involved in the synthesis and secretion of Nod factors (NFs) [1]. These NFs are perceived by the plant root and trigger several responses, such as ion fluxes (K+, Cl-, Ca2+, H+), cytoplasmic alkalinisation, cytoplasmic calcium ([Ca2+]c) oscillations, and gene expression [2], leading to bacterial invasion and nodule formation. Special attention has been given to [Ca2+]c levels because an increase in intracellular ion levels and influxes from the extracellular space occur in the apical region of the root hair in response to NFs [3, 4]. The actin cytoskeleton, which also plays an important role in root hair growth and development, experiences rapid and pronounced reorganisation, including fragmentation of filaments and an increase in the amount of subapical fine F-actin in response to NFs and microtubule reorganisation [5-7]. During the last few years, much progress has been made towards elucidating the mechanism governing the NFs signal perception pathway. Calcium oscillations induced in response to NFs have been widely studied and compared with calcium oscillations induced in mycorhizal associations [8]. Furthermore, the production of ROS levels has been determined to decrease after several minutes of NFs treatment [9, 10]. However, within the first few seconds, there is a specific and rapid transient increase [11]. In addition, new studies allow for a connection between abscisic acid, ethylene, and jasmonic acid during NFs perception [12].
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