Ancestry, Evolution and Interactors of NIN, a key regulator of root nodule symbiosis

Summary

This thesis focuses on NIN, a transcription factor that plays a key role in several steps in nodulation (for example infection and nodule organogenesis). It was recruited when nodulation evolved in the youngest common ancestor of the “nitrogen-fixating clade”. In this thesis, the ancestral function of NIN was studied through studies on NIN orthologues of Arabidopsis. Further, the changes introduced in NIN when it was recruited in nodulation, was studied at the protein level. Finally, the interactome of NIN was studied to obtain insight in the mechanism by which NIN can function in diverse processes. The interaction and the function of some of the interactors was studied.