Immunocytochemical localization of nitrogenase in bacteria symbiotically associated with Azolla spp.

In situ immunogold labeling and transmission electron microscopy were used to detect nitrogenase in bacteria (bactobionts) symbiotically associated with leaf cavities of Azolla caroliniana and Azolla filiculoides. In A. caroliniana, the Fe protein of the nitrogenase complex was detected in a subset of the distinct bactobiont types present in leaf cavities of all ages. Similar results were obtained for the bactobionts of A. filiculoides with antisera against both the Fe and MoFe subunits of nitrogenase.