Die in dieser Arbeit durchgeführten Untersuchungen dienten dazu, die Eigenschaften und Grundlagen zur Regulation der chloroplastidären NAD(P)(H)-GAPDH im Wechsel zwischen Licht- und Dunkelmetabolismus aufzuklären. Dazu wurden Untersuchungen mit dem System ‘isoliertes Enzym’ und dem System ‘isolierte Chloroplasten’ durchgeführt. Durch die Herstellung proteolysierter NAD(P)(H)-GAPDH und rekombinanter Untereinheiten GapAM, GapBM und GapBMDC, sowie gleichzeitig exprimierter GapAMBM und GapAMBMDC war die Möglichkeit geschaffen, die Funktion der CTE bei der Regulation zu untersuchen. Eigenschaften von NAD(H)-abhängiger plastidärer GapCp konnten mit angereinigtem und rekombinant hergestelltem Enzym aus roter Paprikafrucht ermittelt werden. Regulation von NAD(P)(H)-GAPDH im isolierten intakten Chloroplasten aus Spinat Durch Reduktion von NAD(P)(H)-GAPDH in belichteten isolierten intakten Spinatplastiden, vermutlich durch Thioredoxinf, ist das Enzym sensitiver gegenüber 1,3bisPGA, da der Ka-Wert von 17-21 µM auf ca. 1-2 µM gesenkt wird. Die gleichzeitig steigende Konzentration von 1,3bisPGA auf ca. 0,8 µM im Chloroplasten führt zur Aktivierung und damit verbundener Dissoziation des Enzyms. Die Aktivierung betrifft ausschließlich die NADPH-abhängigen Aktivitäten. NADPH, NADP und ATP scheiden als Aktivatoren in vivo aus, da sie bei im Chloroplasten im Licht und im Dunkeln herrschenden Konzentrationen von 140 µM NAD das Enzym nicht aktivieren und unphysiologisch hohe Konzentrationen der Effektoren zur Aktivierung des Enzyms benötigt würden. Die Inaktivierung im Dunkeln erfolgt durch Absenkung der 1,3bisPGA-Konzentration, und das Enzym wird durch ein bislang nicht bekanntes Oxidationsmittel oxidiert. NAD, sowie möglicherweise auch GAP und NADH sind an der Inaktivierung und gleichzeitigen Aggregation beteiligt. Die CTE der Untereinheit B ist für die Aggregation/Dissoziation von NAD(P)(H)-GAPDH verantwortlich Im Vergleich von NAD(P)(H)-GAPDH-Isoenzymen besitzt ausschließlich GapB aus Chloroplasten höherer Pflanzen eine CTE von 28-32 Aminosäuren Länge. Sie ist gekennzeichnet durch zwei konservierte Cysteine, zwischen denen sich acht Aminosäuren befinden. In der Mitte dieser acht Aminosäuren befindet sich ein Prolin, welches u.a. für den Richtungswechsel bei der Faltung eines Proteins verantwortlich ist, so dass sich zwischen den beiden Cysteinen eine Disulfidbrücke ausbilden könnte. Die CTE aus Spinat besitzt außerdem einen hohen Anteil von sieben negativ geladenen Aminosäuren. In Rahmen dieser Arbeit wurde ein Modell enwickelt, welches beinhaltet, dass die Aggregation von vier (A2B2)-Tetrameren über Salzbrückenbindung negativ geladener Aminosäuren der CTE und nach außen exponierten positiv geladenen Aminosäuren von GapA vermittelt wird. Ergebnisse mit NAD(P)(H)-GAPDH, der die CTE fehlt, d.h. proteolysierte NAD(P)(H)-GAPDH und rekombinant hergestellte GapAM, GapBMDC und GapAMBMDC bestätigen das Modell. Die drei tetrameren Formen, sowie die gleichzeitig exprimierte GapAMBMDC sind nicht fähig, zu aggregieren. Ausschließlich GapB und die gleichzeitig exprimierte GapAMBMC aggregieren in eine hochmolekulare Form von ca. 470 kDa, bzw. eine Mischung von 470 und 300 kDa. Die CTE der Untereinheit B ist für die Redoxmodulation von NAD(P)(H)-GAPDH verantwortlich. NAD(P)(H)-GAPDH höherer Pflanzen besitzt fünf konservierte Cysteine: 18, 149, 153, 274 und 285, wovon sich Cystein 149 und Cystein 153 im aktiven Zentrum befinden. Cystein 153 in nicht an der Katalyse beteiligt. In der CTE von GapB sind zusätzlich zwei Cysteine 355 und 364 konserviert. Im Rahmen dieser Arbeit konnte gezeigt werden, dass die lange Zeit prognostizierte intramolekulare Disulfidbrücke zwischen Cystein 18 und 285 nicht vorhanden ist. Dies ergibt sich aus der Tatsache, dass in Algen, deren NAD(P)(H)-GAPDH als redoxmoduliert beschrieben ist, Cystein 285 nicht vorkommt. Weiterhin zeigen eigene Ergebnisse, dass NAD(P)(H)-GAPDH, der die CTE fehlt, d.h. proteolysierte NAD(P)(H)-GAPDH, rekombinant hergestellte GapAM und GapBMDC, weder durch DTTred noch in Kombination mit 1,3bisPGA aktiviert werden. Die tetrameren Formen sind nicht redoxmoduliert. Daraus wird gefolgert, dass die für die Redoxmodulation verantwortliche Disulfidbrücke sich in der CTE von GapB befindet. Die CTE der Untereinheit B ist für die Nucleotidspezifität von NAD(P)(H)-GAPDH verantwortlich Die Bindung von NADPH, bzw. NADH in den verschiedenen Isoenzymen von NAD(P)(H)-GAPDH hängt von der Aminosäurezusammensetzung in den Positionen 32, 33, 187 und 188 ab. Die Aminosäuren 187 und 188 befinden sich auf einem S-loop, der in das aktive Zentrum eines benachbarten Monomers hineinreicht und mit ihm eine funktionelle Einheit bildet. NAD(H) wird in den Positionen 32 und 33 gebunden; eine Bindung von NADP(H) ist durch sterische Hinderung und Ladung des Prolins 188, welches in cytosolischer NAD(H)-GAPDH vorkommt, nicht möglich. Da chloroplastidäre NAD(P)(H)-GAPDH in der Position 188 ein Serin besitzt, kann die Phosphatgruppe von NADP(H) binden. Aufgrund der Affinitäten der inaktiven 600 kDa- und aktiven 150 kDa-NAD(P)(H)-GAPDH für NADPH, bzw. der in Chloroplasten im Licht wie im Dunkeln herrschenden NADPH-Konzentrationen, wäre es theoretisch möglich, dass das Coenzym sowohl bei Belichtung als auch im Dunkeln umgesetzt wird. Während des Licht-Dunkel-Übergangs wechselt das Enzym jedoch zwischen dem Coenzym NADPH und NAD. In dieser Arbeit konnte anhand eines Modells aufgezeigt werden, dass im Dunkel-adaptierten Chloroplasten die Bindung von NADPH an der Aminosäure 188 unterbunden ist, da der S-loop um einige A aus dem aktiven Zentrum gezogen wird. Ursache dafür ist mit großer Wahrscheinlichkeit die CTE, die in der 600 kDa-Form an positiv geladenen Aminosäuren des S-loops bindet. Die Aktivierung von NAD(P)(H)-GAPDH in struktureller Hinsicht. Die 600 kDa-Form von NAD(P)(H)-GAPDH ist mit dem Coenzym NADPH inaktiv, da sich innerhalb der CTE eine Disulfidbrücke gebildet hat. Die strukturelle Änderung der CTE erlaubt es, dass negativ geladenene Aminosäuren der CTE an nach außen exponierten positiv geladenen Aminosäuren eines S-loops von GapA binden können. Dadurch ist eine Bindung von NADPH im aktiven Zentrum an den S-loop nicht möglich. NAD kann ungehindert binden. Bei einsetzender Belichtung wird die Disulfidbrücke der CTE aufgebrochen, ohne dass das Enzym dissoziert. Mit steigenden Konzentrationen von dreifach negativ geladenem 1,3bisPGA wird die Salzbrückenbindung zwischen der CTE und dem S-loop gelöst, so dass NAD(P)(H)-GAPDH in vier Tetramere dissoziiert und gleichzeitig NADPH umsetzen kann.

One of the pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the amyloid plaque deposition in aging brains by aggregation of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides. In this study, the effect of chloroplast derived myelin basic protein (MBP) fused with cholera toxin subunit B (CTB) was investigated in advanced diseased stage of human and mouse AD brains. The CTB-fusion protein in chloroplasts facilitates transmucosal delivery in the gut by the natural binding ability of CTB pentameric form with GM1 receptors on the intestinal epithelium. Further, bioencapsulation of the MBP within plant cells confers protection from enzymes and acids in the digestive system. Here, 12-14 months old triple transgenic AD mice were fed with CTB-MBP bioencapsulated in the plant cells for 3 months. A reduction of 67.3% and 33.3% amyloid levels in hippocampal and cortical regions, respectively were observed by immunostaining of brain sections with anti- Aβ antibody. Similarly, 70% decrease in plaque number and 40% reduction of plaque intensity was observed through thioflavin S (ThS) staining that specifically stains amyloid in the AD brain. Furthermore, ex vivo 3xTg AD mice brain sections showed up to 45% reduction of ThS stained amyloid levels when incubated with enriched CTB-MBP in a concentration dependent manner. Similarly, incubation of enriched CTB-MBP with ex vivo postmortem human brain tissue sections with advanced stage of AD resulted up to 47% decrease of ThS stained amyloid plaque intensity. Lastly, lyophilization of plant material facilitates dehydration and long term storage of capsules at room temperature, in addition to increasing CTB-MBP concentration by 17 fold. These observations offer a low cost solution for treatment of even advanced stages of the AD by facilitating delivery of therapeutic proteins to central nervous system to address other neurodegenerative disease.

No description available.

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<p dir="ltr">Photosynthesis is the basis of primary productivity on Earth. Oxygenic photosynthesis utilizes the nearly inexhaustible energy of radiant solar light to fix atmospheric carbon dioxide into usable forms of chemical energy and produces dioxygen as a product. Central to this process are several large hetero-oligomeric protein complexes that comprise the photosynthetic electron transport chain. Photosystem II (PSII) initiates electron transport through the light-driven oxidation of water, in-turn relinquishing protons and oxygen. Through this reaction, electrons are used to form the reductant NADPH, while protons form a proton-motive gradient that is used to drive synthesis of ATP. As a result of this highly energetic reaction, PSII is often subject to oxidative photodamage due to the production of reactive oxygen species. Inevitably, accumulation of oxidative photodamage disrupts the catalytic activity of PSII, resulting in a loss of photosynthetic activity. To deal with the nearly constant incurred photodamage to PSII, oxygenic photoautotrophs undergo a disassembly and repair cycle that results in the complete turnover of the damaged D1 subunit of PSII. Due to its high tendency for damage, the D1 subunit has a half-life of under one hour in high light intensity. Despite our current understanding of photoinhibition and PSII repair, it is still unclear how D1 is replaced so rapidly in response to damaging conditions. Previous research has indicated a role for phosphorylation of PSII in D1 turnover, however the mechanism has not been totally resolved. In the first chapter of this thesis, our current understanding of PSII phosphorylation and oxidative damage is reviewed in the context of PSII repair. In the second chapter, the role of protein phosphorylation in the PSII repair cycle is investigated in the model organism <i>Arabidopsis</i>. Using several PSII phosphorylation mutants, we demonstrate that phosphorylation seems to mediate disassembly of large PSII supercomplexes and dimers into smaller subcomplexes. In the third chapter, the role of oxidative photodamage is investigated in mediating PSII disassembly. Here, we use several <i>in vitro</i> assays to demonstrate that photodamage is sufficient to induce the disassembly of smaller PSII subcomplexes. In the fourth chapter, a technique for determining the stoichiometry of photosynthetic complexes is examined, with implications for understanding PSII repair. Finally, in the fifth chapter, several conclusions and unanswered questions from this thesis are discussed.</p>

Diabetes mellitus is presently recognized as the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, affecting over 20 million people. Diabetes is a condition characterized by high blood glucose due to an insulin deficiency or resistance. Type I, which comprises 5-10% of all cases, results from the destruction of pancreatic beta cells in the islets of Langerhans. The current treatment for type I diabetes is insulin administration through injection or pump. Purification, production, and storage of this insulin proves to be quite costly. By producing biologically functional insulin with oral delivery capabilities through chloroplast genetic engineering, many of these costs could be cut back. In addition, the possibility of providing the C-peptide currently lacking in commercially available insulin becomes available. The Daniell lab inserted cholera toxin B-subunit (CTB) fused proinsulin, containing three furin cleavage sites, (CTB-pins Fx3) into the tobacco chloroplasts of Petit Havana via particle gun bombardment. The insertion of three furin cleavage sites along with fusion to CTB will enable the insulin to sustain function when orally administered. Transgenic plants from the second generation were then analyzed and tested for quantification of the CTB-pins Fx3 gene. Tobacco leaves of varying ages were compared to determine expression levels. The resulting data is pertinent for future production of both orally deliverable insulin and more cost effective injectable insulin.

Thesis (MSc)--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Erica is a genus of about 860 species world wide, with 700 of these found in South Africa’s southwestern and southern Cape, making it by far the most speciose genus in the Cape Floristic Region. This poses a particular challenge in the construction of a molecular phylogeny of the genus. The choice of suitably variable gene regions is a crucial decision on which the successful phylogenetic reconstruction of this important genus is critically dependent. The aim of this project was therefore to determine which DNA regions, both chloroplast and nuclear, would be sufficiently variable to give adequate informative characters that may be useful at the species level phylogenetic reconstruction. A subset of 30 species, representing the range of morphological diversity and pollinator preference within Erica, was selected for study. For each of these species the variability in eight chloroplast regions (trnL-F, matK, trnS-G, rps12- rpl20, psbAtrnH, trnC-D, rps4-trnT and trnT-L) and the nuclear ITS region was investigated. The psbA-trnH, trnC-D, rps4-trnT and trnT-L chloroplast regions were found to be problematic to amplify and to possess too few Parsimony Informative Characters to be of use in phylogenetic reconstruction. Four of the chloroplast regions, trnS-G, trnL-F, matK and rpS12-rpL20 and the nuclear ITS region could be amplified and sequenced with success. The ITS region was found to be reasonably variable, with the chloroplast genes showing less variability. The DNA extraction method employed showed itself to be of critical importance in the success of the study. Two DNA extraction protocols, both modified from the original Doyle and Doyle (1987) method, were tested. The one included double the amount of β-mercaptoethanol and Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and the other included an extended phenol: chloroform: isoamylalcohol step. These variables, together with the effectiveness of these methods on fresh vs. silica dried plant samples, were investigated to determine which of the two would yield high quantities and qualities of DNA and result in the best method for the extraction of DNA from Erica species. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Erica is ‘n genus van omtrent 860 spesies wêreldwyd, met 700 van hierdie spesies aanwesig in die suidwes en suid Kaap van Suid Afrika, wat dit by verre die mees spesieryke genus in die Kaapse Floristiese Streek maak. Dit stel ’n besondere uitdaging in die konstruksie van ’n molekulêre filogenie van die genus. Die keuse van geskikte variërende geen-areas is ‘n belangrike besluit waarvan die suksesvolle filogenetiese rekonstruksie van hierdie belangrike genus krities afhanklik sal wees. Die doel van hierdie projek was dus om te bepaal watter DNS areas, buide chloroplas en kern, genoegsaam varieer om voldoende informatiewe kenmerke te lewer om bruikbaar te wees in ’n spesie-vlak molekulêre rekonstruksie. ’n Subgroep van 30 spesies, wat die reeks van morfologiese diversiteit en bestuiwer voorkeure in Erica verteenwoordig, is dus vir die studie geselekteer. Vir elk van hierdie spesies is die variasie in agt chloroplast areas (trnL-F, matK, trnS-G, rps12- rpl20, psbA-trnH, trnC-D, rps4-trnT en trnT-L) en die kern ITS area ondersoek. Dit was problematies om die psbA-trnH, trnC-D, rps4-trnT en trnT-L chloroplast areas te amplifiseer, en daar is gevind dat hulle te min Parsimonie Informatiewe Kenmerke besig om bruikbaar te wees in filogenetiese rekonstruksie. Vier van die chloroplas areas, trnS-G, trnL-F, matK en rpS12-rpL20 en die kern ITS kon suksesvol geamplifiseer word en die basisvolgordes kon suksesvol bepaal word. Daar is gevind dat die ITS area redelik variërend is, terwyl chloroplas areas minder variasie getoon het. Die DNS ekstraksie metode wat gebruik is het die kritiese belang van die ekstraksie metode in die sukses van die studie bewys. Twee DNS protokolle, beide gemodifiseer van die oorspronklike Doyle en Doyle (1987) metode, is getoets. Die een het dubbel die hoeveelheid β-mercaptoetanol en Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) bevat, en die het ’n uitgebruide fenol: chloroform: isoamylalkohol stap ingesluit. Hierdie veranderlikes, saam met die effektiwiteit van hierdie metodes op vars teenoor silika-gedroogde plant monsters, is ondersoek om vas te stel watter een van die twee die hoogste kwaliteit en kwantiteit DNS sou lewer en dus sal lei tot die beste DNS ekstraksie metode vir Erica spesies.

Contrairement à la plupart des eucaryotes non-photosynthétiques, les végétaux doivent assurer la stabilité d’un génome additionnel contenu dans le plastide, un organite d’origine endosymbiotique. Malgré la taille modeste de ce génome et le faible nombre de gènes qu’il encode, celui-ci est absolument essentiel au processus de photosynthèse. Pourtant, même si ce génome est d’une importance cruciale pour le développement de la plante, les principales menaces à son intégrité, ainsi que les conséquences d’une déstabilisation généralisée de sa séquence d’ADN, demeurent largement inconnues. Dans l’objectif d’élucider les conséquences de l’instabilité génomique chloroplastique, nous avons utilisé le mutant why1why3polIb d’Arabidopsis thaliana, qui présente d’importants niveaux de réarrangements génomiques chloroplastiques, ainsi que la ciprofloxacine, un composé induisant des brisures double-brins dans l’ADN des organites. Ceci nous a permis d’établir qu’une quantité importante de réarrangements génomiques provoque une déstabilisation de la chaîne de transport des électrons photosynthétique et un grave stress oxydatif associé au processus de photosynthèse. Étonnamment, chez why1why3polIb, ces hautes concentrations d’espèces oxygénées réactives ne mènent ni à la perte de fonction des chloroplastes affectés, ni à la mort cellulaire des tissus. Bien au contraire, ce déséquilibre rédox semble être à l’origine d’une reprogrammation génique nucléaire permettant de faire face à ce stress photosynthétique et conférant une tolérance aux stress oxydatifs subséquents. Grâce à une nouvelle méthode d’analyse des données de séquençage de nouvelle génération, nous montrons également qu’un type particulier d’instabilité génomique, demeuré peu caractérisé jusqu’à maintenant, constitue une des principales menaces au maintien de l’intégrité génomique des organites, et ce, tant chez Arabidopsis que chez l’humain. Ce type d’instabilité génomique est dénommé réarrangement de type U-turn et est vraisemblablement associé au processus de réplication. Par une approche génétique, nous démontrons que les protéines chloroplastiques WHY1, WHY3 et RECA1 empêchent la formation de ce type d’instabilité génomique, probablement en favorisant la stabilisation et le redémarrage des fourches de réplication bloquées. Une forte accumulation de réarrangements de type U-turn semble d’ailleurs être à l’origine d’un sévère trouble développemental chez le mutant why1why3reca1. Ceci soulève de nombreuses questions quant à l’implication de ce type d’instabilité génomique dans de nombreux troubles et pathologies possédant une composante mitochondriale. / In contrast to most non-photosynthetic eukaryotes, plants must ensure the stability of an additional genome contained within the plastid organelle. Despite the small size of the plastid genome and its low gene content, this genome is nevertheless absolutely essential for photosynthesis and plant energy metabolism. In spite of this, the main threats this genome encounters and their underlying consequences remain poorly understood. To evaluate the consequences of generalized plastid genome instability, we use the why1why3polIb Arabidopsis thaliana mutant line, which exhibits elevated levels of plastid genome rearrangements, and ciprofloxacin, a compound that induces double strand-breaks within organelle DNA. We demonstrated that high levels of plastid genome rearrangements lead to a decrease in photosynthetic electron transport chain efficiency and to a severe photosynthesis-associated oxidative stress. Surprisingly, these high levels of reactive oxygen species are neither associated to a loss of chloroplast function, nor to cell death. Instead, this redox imbalance seems to initiate a nuclear genetic expression remodelling that allows adaptation to this photosynthetic stress and confers tolerance to subsequent oxidative stresses. Using a novel approach for the analysis of next-generation sequencing data, we have also shown that a poorly characterized type of genomic instability constitutes one of the main threats to organelle genomic integrity, both in Arabidopsis and human. We demonstrate that this particular type of genomic instability, named U-turn-like DNA rearrangement, is most probably associated to errors during the replication process. Also, a genetic approach revealed that the chloroplast-localized proteins WHY1, WHY3 and RECA1 all act to repress this type of genomic instability, probably by stabilizing and stimulating the accurate restart of collapsed replication forks. A strong accumulation of U-turn-like rearrangements is notably associated to severe developmental defects in the why1why3reca1 mutant line. This raises the question of whether this type of genomic instability could be involved in the appearance of several mitochondria-associated pathologies.

Anandamide (NAE 20:4) or arachidonlyethanolamine (AEA) is the most widely studied N-acylethanolamine (NAE) because it mediates several physiological functions in mammals. In vascular plants, 12-18C NAEs inhibit growth in an abscisic acid (ABA)-dependent and -independent manner. Anandamide, which is unique to bryophyte Physcomitrella patens, inhibited gametophyte growth and reduced chlorophyll content when applied exogenously. It is hypothesized that anandamide mediates its responses through morphological and cellular changes. Following growth inhibition by short-term anandamide-treatment, microscopic analyses revealed relocated chloroplasts and depolymerized F-actin in protonemal tips. Long-term treatment showed partially bleached gametophyte cells with degraded and browning chloroplasts. These anandamide-mediated responses have physiological implications as AEA may function as a signal for gametophytes to activate secondary dormancy as seen with ABA. Future studies will investigate the role of AEA in mediating stress responses and possible interaction with ABA.

Submitted by (ana.araujo@ufrpe.br) on 2017-02-21T14:16:41Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Paulo Geovani Silva Martins.pdf: 3068367 bytes, checksum: a2b6a221541b1632f6a29c5025ee09e4 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-02-21T14:16:41Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Paulo Geovani Silva Martins.pdf: 3068367 bytes, checksum: a2b6a221541b1632f6a29c5025ee09e4 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-02-21 / Leguminosae is the third largest angiosperm family, with around 700 genera, of which the Mimosoideae subfamily comprehends 78 genera, with emphasis to Acacia, Mimosa and Inga. Mimosa caesalpiniifolia Benth., known as “sabiá” or “sansão do campo” is considered to be one of the most important native tree species of the Brazilian semiarid due to its multiuse capability, and high potential for degraded area recovery, since it fixes nitrogen in symbiosis with diazotrophic bacteria. Diazotrophic bacteria taxonomy has been changing due to joint use of phenotypic, physiologic and molecular tools. This work aimed to evaluate “sabiá” and its symbiotic bacteria diversity in five Northeastern municipalities. It was conducted from April, 2010 to March, 2011, at Pernambuco Federal Agricultural University and the Genome Laboratory of the Pernambuco Agronomic Institute. For “sabiá” phylogenetic studies, leaves from native or naturalized plants were collected at Crato, Gravatá, Itambé, Mossoró and Serra Talhada, with their genomic DNA extracted with a commercial kit. The intergenomic atpB-rcbL region of chloroplastic DNA was amplified and used to construct Bayesian Inference phylogenesis of the accesses. Soil samples were collected at the same time of plant collection, and “sabiá” plants were used as bait for rhizobial nodules using Leonard jars, at a greenhouse. Nodule bacteria were isolated and purified in YMA media with Congo Red, and morpho-physiologically characterized on YMA media with Bromothymol Blue. The isolates were later grown in liquid TY media for DNA extraction with a commercial kit. Amplifications were conducted with REP, ERIC and BOX primers, and 16S rDNA was amplified and sequenced. Intergenic atpB-rbcL chloroplast DNA sequences did not match any NCBI entry. CRATO 4 and SERRA TALHADA 20 accesses formed an external group indicated they may be genetically closer to a Mimosa ancestor. The high segregation of the species affected diversity within and among the different areas, and plant biogeography was not confirmed. Genomic fingerprinting of the 47 isolates had different patterns for REP, ERIC and BOX elements, but compilation of the results created the dendrogram with the most groups. The 16S rDNA sequences were blasted in GenBank, and the isolates had 68 to 99% similarity with Burkholderia strains. The phylogenetic tree constructed with the 16S rDNA, combined with sequences from strains recommended for legume inoculation, show these isolates to be diverse from the currently recommended. Isolates PE-MO01, PE-MO02 and PE-MO04 were the most different among the isolates. The lack of molecular phylogeny data for “sabiá” shows the need of using other taxonomic markers to evaluate this species diversity, and the 16S rDNA sequences confirm the Mimosa symbiosis preference for Burkholderia strains. / A família Leguminosae é a terceira maior família de angiospermas com aproximadamente 700 gêneros, dos quais a subfamília Mimosoideae compreende 78 gêneros, destacando-se Acacia, Mimosa e Inga. A espécie Mimosa caesalpiniifolia Benth., conhecida como sabiá ou sansão do campo, é considerada uma das espécies arbóreas nativas mais importantes do semiárido brasileiro por apresentar múltiplo uso e grande potencial para recuperação de áreas degradadas por fixar nitrogênio em simbiose com bactérias diazotróficas. A taxonomia das bactérias diazotróficas vem mudando pela utilização em conjunto de aspectos fenotípicos e fisiológicos e de ferramentas moleculares. Objetivou-se avaliar a filogenia de plantas de sabiá (Mimosa caesalpiniifolia Benth.) e a diversidade e filogenia de suas bactérias simbióticas em cinco municípios nordestinos. O trabalho foi conduzido de abril de 2010 a março de 2011, na Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco e no Laboratório de Genoma do Instituto Agronômico de Pernambuco. Para os estudos filogenéticos do sabiá, folhas de plantas nativas ou naturalizadas foram coletadas em Crato, Gravatá, Itambé, Mossoró e Serra Talhada, e tiveram o DNA genômico extraído utilizando-se kit comercial. Foram realizadas amplificações da região espaçadora intergênica atpB-rcbL do genoma cloroplastidial que foram usadas para construir a Inferência Bayesiana da filogenia entre os acessos. Amostras de solo foram coletadas à mesma época das coletas das folhas e plantas de sabiá foram usadas como plantas-isca para obtenção de nódulos de rizóbios utilizando-se Vasos de Leonard, em casa de vegetação. As bactérias presentes nos nódulos foram isoladas e purificadas em meio YMA com Vermelho Congo e a caracterização morfofisiológica dos isolados foi realizada em meio YMA com Azul de Bromotimol. Posteriormente os isolados foram crescidos em meio TY líquido para extração do DNA com kit comercial. Foram realizadas amplificações com os oligonucleotideos BOX, ERIC e REP e amplificação e sequenciamento do 16S DNAr. As sequências do espaço intergênico cloroplastidial atpB-rbcL não corresponderam com qualquer outra sequência depositada no NCBI. Os acessos CRATO 4 e SERRA TALHADA 20 formaram um grupo externo indicando que podem ser as mais próximas geneticamente. A alta taxa de segregação da espécie influenciou na diversidade dentro e entre as diferentes áreas estudadas e a origem geográfica não determina a variação dos observados nos acessos das plantas estudadas. Os fingerprints genômico dos 47 isolados utilizando os elementos BOX, ERIC e REP apresentaram padrões de amplificações distintos, porém a compilação dos resultados criou o dendrograma com maior número de grupos. As sequências 16S DNAr foram comparadas no GenBank através do programa BLAST, e os isolados apresentam identidade variando entre 68 e 99% com estirpes do gênero Burkholderia. A árvore filogenética construída com as sequências da região 16S DNAr dos isolados, juntamente com as sequências da região 16S DNAr de estirpes tipo recomendadas para inoculação de leguminosas, indica que os isolados obtidos são geneticamente distintos das estirpes recomendadas. Os isolados PE-MO01, PE-MO02 e PE-MO04 destacaram-se por serem os mais distintos dentro do grupo de isolados. A escassez de dados de filogenia molecular da espécie Mimosa caesalpiniifolia Benth. revela a necessidade da utilização de outros marcadores taxonômicos para conhecimento da filogenia e da diversidade desta espécie e as sequências do gene 16S DNAr confirmam a preferência de simbiose entre espécies de leguminosas do gênero Mimosa com bactérias diazotróficas do gênero Burkholderia.