Nodule cysteine-rich (NCR) peptides have a major role in the differentiation of endocytosed bacteria into nitrogen-fixing bacteroids. A recent paper by Sankari et al. indicates that NCR247 is essential for the uptake of iron, a mineral nutrient required for nitrogenase activity. Furthermore, the special ability of NCR247 to sequester haem suggests potential applications for human health.
Keywords: human health; inverted repeat-lacking clade (IRLC); legumes; nitrogenase; nodule cysteine-rich (NCR) peptides; symbiotic nitrogen fixation.
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