nifgenes in alien backgrounds

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Abstract
Since the original construction of diazotrophicEscherichia coliby conjugal transfer ofnifgenes fromKlebsiella pneumoniaein 1972, the manipulation ofnifgenes into alien prokaryotic backgrounds has become routine: much of the basic genetics of theK. pneumoniaenifcluster was elucidated in anE. colibackground. Gene transfers to new species and genera can give new information regarding the stability ofnifgenes and, particularly, conditions for their expression; recipients in whichnifis partly expressed, or not expressed at all, are especially useful. Appropriate examples are discussed. New diazotrophic prokaryotes show little promise for practical exploitation but their construction should give forewarning of problems to be expected in the construction of diazotrophic eukaryotes, as well as hints concerning the ecology and evolution of diazotrophy.