Cellular basis of legume-rhizobium symbiosis

The legume-rhizobium symbiosis represents the most important system for terrestrial biological nitrogen fixation on land. Efficient nitrogen fixation during this symbiosis depends on successful rhizobial infection and complete endosymbiosis, which are achieved by complex cellular events including cell-wall remodeling, cytoskeletal reorganizations, and extensive membrane expansion and trafficking. In this review, we explore the dynamic remodeling of the plant-specific cell wall-membrane system-cytoskeleton (WMC) continuum during symbiotic nitrogen fixation. We focus on key processes linked to efficient nitrogen fixation, including rhizobial uptake, infection thread formation and elongation, rhizobial droplet release, cytoplasmic bridge formation, and rhizobial endosymbiosis. Additionally, we discuss the advanced techniques for investigating the cellular basis of root-nodule symbiosis and provide insights into the unsolved mysteries of robust symbiotic nitrogen fixation.