Geosiphon pyriforme, a fungus forming endocytobiosis with Nostoc (cyanobacteria), is an ancestral member of the Glomales: evidence by SSU rRNA analysis

Evolutionary history of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and genomic signatures of obligate symbiosis

BACKGROUND

The colonization of land and the diversification of terrestrial plants is intimately linked to the evolutionary history of their symbiotic fungal partners. Extant representatives of these fungal lineages include mutualistic plant symbionts, the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi in Glomeromycota and fine root endophytes in Endogonales (Mucoromycota), as well as fungi with saprotrophic, pathogenic and endophytic lifestyles. These fungal groups separate into three monophyletic lineages but their evolutionary relationships remain enigmatic confounding ancestral reconstructions. Their taxonomic ranks are currently fluid.

RESULTS

In this study, we recognize these three monophyletic linages as phyla, and use a balanced taxon sampling and broad taxonomic representation for phylogenomic analysis that rejects a hard polytomy and resolves Glomeromycota as sister to a clade composed of Mucoromycota and Mortierellomycota. Low copy numbers of genes associated with plant cell wall degradation could not be assigned to the transition to a plant symbiotic lifestyle but appears to be an ancestral phylogenetic signal. Both plant symbiotic lineages, Glomeromycota and Endogonales, lack numerous thiamine metabolism genes but the lack of fatty acid synthesis genes is specific to AM fungi. Many genes previously thought to be missing specifically in Glomeromycota are either missing in all analyzed phyla, or in some cases, are actually present in some of the analyzed AM fungal lineages, e.g. the high affinity phosphorus transporter Pho89.

CONCLUSION

Based on a broad taxon sampling of fungal genomes we present a well-supported phylogeny for AM fungi and their sister lineages. We show that among these lineages, two independent evolutionary transitions to mutualistic plant symbiosis happened in a genomic background profoundly different from that known from the emergence of ectomycorrhizal fungi in Dikarya. These results call for further reevaluation of genomic signatures associated with plant symbiosis.

Rhizophagus irregularis, the model fungus in arbuscular mycorrhiza research, forms dimorphic spores

Rhizophagus irregularis is the model species for arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) research and the most widely propagated species for commercial plant biostimulants. Using asymbiotic and symbiotic cultivation systems initiated from single spores, advanced microscopy, Sanger sequencing of the glomalin gene, and PacBio sequencing of the partial 45S rRNA gene, we show that four strains of R. irregularis produce spores of two distinct morphotypes, one corresponding to the morphotype described in the R. irregularis protologue and the other having the phenotype of R. fasciculatus. The two spore morphs are easily distinguished by spore colour, thickness of the subtending hypha, thickness of the second wall layer, lamination of the innermost layer, and the dextrinoid reaction of the two outer spore wall layers to Melzer's reagent. The glomalin gene of the two spore morphs is identical and that of the PacBio sequences of the partial SSU-ITS-LSU region (2780 bp) obtained from single spores of the R. cf fasciculatus morphotype has a median pairwise similarity of 99.8% (SD = 0.005%) to the rDNA ribotypes of R. irregularis DAOM 197198. Based on these results, we conclude that the model AMF species R. irregularis is dimorphic, which has caused taxonomic confusion in culture collections and possibly in AMF research.

The interactions of Candida albicans with gut bacteria: a new strategy to prevent and treat invasive intestinal candidiasis

BACKGROUND

The gut microbiota plays an important role in human health, as it can affect host immunity and susceptibility to infectious diseases. Invasive intestinal candidiasis is strongly associated with gut microbiota homeostasis. However, the nature of the interaction between Candida albicans and gut bacteria remains unclear.

OBJECTIVE

This review aimed to determine the nature of interaction and the effects of gut bacteria on C. albicans so as to comprehend an approach to reducing intestinal invasive infection by C. albicans.

METHODS

This review examined 11 common gut bacteria's interactions with C. albicans, including Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp., Helicobacter pylori, Lactobacillus spp., Bacteroides spp., Clostridium difficile, and Streptococcus spp.

RESULTS

Most of the studied bacteria demonstrated both synergistic and antagonistic effects with C. albicans, and just a few bacteria such as P. aeruginosa, Salmonella spp., and Lactobacillus spp. demonstrated only antagonism against C. albicans.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the nature of interactions reported so far by the literature between gut bacteria and C. albicans, it is expected to provide new ideas for the prevention and treatment of invasive intestinal candidiasis.

The right microbe-associated molecular patterns for effective recognition by plants

Plants are constantly exposed to diverse microbes and thus develop a sophisticated perceive system to distinguish non-self from self and identify non-self as friends or foes. Plants can detect microbes in apoplast via recognition of microbe-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs) by pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) on the cell surface to activate appropriate signaling in response to microbes. MAMPs are highly conserved but essential molecules of microbes and often buried in microbes’ complex structure. Mature MAMPs are released from microbes by invasion-induced hydrolytic enzymes in apoplast and accumulate in proximity of plasma membrane-localized PRRs to be perceived as ligands to activate downstream signaling. In response, microbes developed strategies to counteract these processing. Here, we review how the form, the concentration, and the size of mature MAMPs affect the PRR-mediated immune signaling. In particular, we describe some potential applications and explore potential open questions in the fields.

Functional Characterization of the M36 Metalloprotease FgFly1 in Fusarium graminearum

Fungalysin metallopeptidase (M36), a hydrolase, catalyzes the hydrolysis of alanine, glycine, etc. Normally, it is considered to play an important role in the progress of fungal infection. However, the function of fungalysin metallopeptidase (M36) in Fusarium graminearum has not been reported. In this study, we explored the biological functions of FgFly1, a fungalysin metallopeptidase (M36) of F. graminearum. We found that ΔFgFly1 did not affect the ability to produce DON toxin, although it inhibited spore germination during asexual reproduction and reduction in pathogenicity compared with PH-1. Therefore, we speculated that FgFly1 affects the pathogenicity of F.graminearum by affecting pathways related to wheat disease resistance. Target protein TaCAMTA (calmodulin-binding transcription activator) was selected by a yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) system. Then, the interaction between FgFly1 and TaCAMTA was verified by bimolecular fluorescent complimentary (BiFC) and luciferase complementation assay (LCA). Furthermore, compared with wild-type Arabidopsis thaliana, the morbidity level of ΔAtCAMTA was increased after infection with F.graminearum, and the expression level of NPR1 was significantly reduced. Based on the above results, we concluded that FgFly1 regulated F. graminearum pathogenicity by interacting with host cell CAMTA protein.

Examining the genomic features of human and plant-associated Burkholderia strains

Humans and plants have evolved in the near omnipresence of a microbial milieu, and the factors that govern host-microbe interactions continue to require scientific exploration. To better understand if and to what degree patterns between microbial genomic features and host association (i.e., human and plant) exist, I analyzed the genomes of select Burkholderia strains-a bacterial genus comprised of both human and plant-associated strains-that were isolated from either humans or plants. To this end, I uncovered host-specific, genomic patterns related to metabolic pathway potentials in addition to convergent features that may be related to pathogenic overlap between hosts. Together, these findings detail the genomic associations of human and plant-associated Burkholderia strains and provide a framework for future investigations that seek to link host-host transmission potentials.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi conducting the hyphosphere bacterial orchestra

More than two-thirds of terrestrial plants acquire nutrients by forming a symbiosis with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi. AM fungal hyphae recruit distinct microbes into their hyphosphere, the narrow region of soil influenced by hyphal exudates. They thereby shape this so-called second genome of AM fungi, which significantly contributes to nutrient mobilization and turnover. We summarize current insights into characteristics of the hyphosphere microbiome and the role of hyphal exudates on orchestrating its composition. The hyphal exudates not only contain carbon-rich compounds but also promote bacterial growth and activity and influence the microbial community structure. These effects lead to shifts in function and cause changes in organic nutrient cycling, making the hyphosphere a unique and largely overlooked functional zone in ecosystems.

A targeted bioinformatics approach identifies highly variable cell surface proteins that are unique to Glomeromycotina

Diversity in arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) contributes to biodiversity and resilience in natural environments and healthy agricultural systems. Functional complementarity exists among species of AMF in symbiosis with their plant hosts, but the molecular basis of this is not known. We hypothesise this is in part due to the difficulties that current sequence assembly methodologies have assembling sequences for intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) due to their low sequence complexity. IDPs are potential candidates for functional complementarity because they often exist as extended (non-globular) proteins providing additional amino acids for molecular interactions. Rhizophagus irregularis arabinogalactan-protein-like proteins (AGLs) are small secreted IDPs with no known orthologues in AMF or other fungi. We developed a targeted bioinformatics approach to identify highly variable AGLs/IDPs in RNA-sequence datasets. The approach includes a modified multiple k-mer assembly approach (Oases) to identify candidate sequences, followed by targeted sequence capture and assembly (mirabait-mira). All AMF species analysed, including the ancestral family Paraglomeraceae, have small families of proteins rich in disorder promoting amino acids such as proline and glycine, or glycine and asparagine. Glycine- and asparagine-rich proteins also were found in Geosiphon pyriformis (an obligate symbiont of a cyanobacterium), from the same subphylum (Glomeromycotina) as AMF. The sequence diversity of AGLs likely translates to functional diversity, based on predicted physical properties of tandem repeats (elastic, amyloid, or interchangeable) and their broad pI ranges. We envisage that AGLs/IDPs could contribute to functional complementarity in AMF through processes such as self-recognition, retention of nutrients, soil stability, and water movement.

The genome of Geosiphon pyriformis reveals ancestral traits linked to the emergence of the arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) (subphylum Glomeromycotina)¹ are among the most prominent symbionts and form the Arbuscular Mycorrhizal symbiosis (AMS) with over 70% of known land plants.^2,3 AMS allows plants to efficiently acquire poorly soluble soil nutrients⁴ and AMF to receive photosynthetically fixed carbohydrates. This plant-fungus symbiosis dates back more than 400 million years⁵ and is thought to be one of the key innovations that allowed the colonization of lands by plants.⁶ Genomic and genetic analyses of diverse plant species started to reveal the molecular mechanisms that allowed the evolution of this symbiosis on the host side, but how and when AMS abilities emerged in AMF remain elusive. Comparative phylogenomics could be used to understand the evolution of AMS.^7,8 However, the availability of genome data covering basal AMF phylogenetic nodes (Archaeosporales, Paraglomerales) is presently based on fragmentary protein coding datasets.⁹Geosiphon pyriformis (Archaeosporales) is the only fungus known to produce endosymbiosis with nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria (Nostoc punctiforme) presumably representing the ancestral AMF state.^10-12 Unlike other AMF, it forms long fungal cells ("bladders") that enclose cyanobacteria. Once in the bladder, the cyanobacteria are photosynthetically active and fix nitrogen, receiving inorganic nutrients and water from the fungus. Arguably, G. pyriformis represents an ideal candidate to investigate the origin of AMS and the emergence of a unique endosymbiosis. Here, we aimed to advance knowledge in these questions by sequencing the genome of G. pyriformis, using a re-discovered isolate.

Microbiome definition re-visited: old concepts and new challenges

The field of microbiome research has evolved rapidly over the past few decades and has become a topic of great scientific and public interest. As a result of this rapid growth in interest covering different fields, we are lacking a clear commonly agreed definition of the term "microbiome." Moreover, a consensus on best practices in microbiome research is missing. Recently, a panel of international experts discussed the current gaps in the frame of the European-funded MicrobiomeSupport project. The meeting brought together about 40 leaders from diverse microbiome areas, while more than a hundred experts from all over the world took part in an online survey accompanying the workshop. This article excerpts the outcomes of the workshop and the corresponding online survey embedded in a short historical introduction and future outlook. We propose a definition of microbiome based on the compact, clear, and comprehensive description of the term provided by Whipps et al. in 1988, amended with a set of novel recommendations considering the latest technological developments and research findings. We clearly separate the terms microbiome and microbiota and provide a comprehensive discussion considering the composition of microbiota, the heterogeneity and dynamics of microbiomes in time and space, the stability and resilience of microbial networks, the definition of core microbiomes, and functionally relevant keystone species as well as co-evolutionary principles of microbe-host and inter-species interactions within the microbiome. These broad definitions together with the suggested unifying concepts will help to improve standardization of microbiome studies in the future, and could be the starting point for an integrated assessment of data resulting in a more rapid transfer of knowledge from basic science into practice. Furthermore, microbiome standards are important for solving new challenges associated with anthropogenic-driven changes in the field of planetary health, for which the understanding of microbiomes might play a key role. Video Abstract.

Fungal evolution: diversity, taxonomy and phylogeny of the Fungi

The fungal kingdom comprises a hyperdiverse clade of heterotrophic eukaryotes characterized by the presence of a chitinous cell wall, the loss of phagotrophic capabilities and cell organizations that range from completely unicellular monopolar organisms to highly complex syncitial filaments that may form macroscopic structures. Fungi emerged as a 'Third Kingdom', embracing organisms that were outside the classical dichotomy of animals versus vegetals. The taxonomy of this group has a turbulent history that is only now starting to be settled with the advent of genomics and phylogenomics. We here review the current status of the phylogeny and taxonomy of fungi, providing an overview of the main defined groups. Based on current knowledge, nine phylum-level clades can be defined: Opisthosporidia, Chytridiomycota, Neocallimastigomycota, Blastocladiomycota, Zoopagomycota, Mucoromycota, Glomeromycota, Basidiomycota and Ascomycota. For each group, we discuss their main traits and their diversity, focusing on the evolutionary relationships among the main fungal clades. We also explore the diversity and phylogeny of several groups of uncertain affinities and the main phylogenetic and taxonomical controversies and hypotheses in the field.

Impacts of long-term elevated atmospheric CO2 concentrations on communities of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

The ecological impacts of long-term elevated atmospheric CO2 (eCO2 ) levels on soil microbiota remain largely unknown. This is particularly true for the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, which form mutualistic associations with over two-thirds of terrestrial plant species and are entirely dependent on their plant hosts for carbon. Here, we use high-resolution amplicon sequencing (Illumina, HiSeq) to quantify the response of AM fungal communities to the longest running (>15 years) free-air carbon dioxide enrichment (FACE) experiment in the Northern Hemisphere (GiFACE); providing the first evaluation of these responses from old-growth (>100 years) semi-natural grasslands subjected to a 20% increase in atmospheric CO2 . eCO2 significantly increased AM fungal richness but had a less-pronounced impact on the composition of their communities. However, while broader changes in community composition were not observed, more subtle responses of specific AM fungal taxa were with populations both increasing and decreasing in abundance in response to eCO2 . Most population-level responses to eCO2 were not consistent through time, with a significant interaction between sampling time and eCO2 treatment being observed. This suggests that the temporal dynamics of AM fungal populations may be disturbed by anthropogenic stressors. As AM fungi are functionally differentiated, with different taxa providing different benefits to host plants, changes in population densities in response to eCO2 may significantly impact terrestrial plant communities and their productivity. Thus, predictions regarding future terrestrial ecosystems must consider changes both aboveground and belowground, but avoid relying on broad-scale community-level responses of soil microbes observed on single occasions.

Conserved Proteins of the RNA Interference System in the Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungus Rhizoglomus irregulare Provide New Insight into the Evolutionary History of Glomeromycota

Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is an important mechanism in the evolution of many living organisms particularly in Prokaryotes where genes are frequently dispersed between taxa. Although, HGT has been reported in Eukaryotes, its accumulative effect and its frequency has been questioned. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are an early diverged fungal lineage belonging to phylum Glomeromycota, whose phylogenetic position is still under debate. The history of AMF and land plant symbiosis dates back to at least 460 Ma. However, Glomeromycota are estimated to have emerged much earlier than land plants. In this study, we surveyed genomic and transcriptomic data of the model arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Rhizoglomus irregulare (synonym Rhizophagus irregularis) and its relatives to search for evidence of HGT that occurred during AMF evolution. Surprisingly, we found a signature of putative HGT of class I ribonuclease III protein-coding genes that occurred from autotrophic cyanobacteria genomes to R. irregulare. At least one of two HGTs was conserved among AMF species with high levels of sequence similarity. Previously, an example of intimate symbiosis between AM fungus and cyanobacteria was reported in the literature. Ribonuclease III family enzymes are important in small RNA regulation in Fungi together with two additional core proteins (Argonaute/piwi and RdRP). The eukaryotic RNA interference system found in AMF was conserved and showed homology with high sequence similarity in Mucoromycotina, a group of fungi closely related to Glomeromycota. Prior to this analysis, class I ribonuclease III has not been identified in any eukaryotes. Our results indicate that a unique acquisition of class I ribonuclease III in AMF is due to a HGT event that occurred from cyanobacteria to Glomeromycota, at the latest before the divergence of the two Glomeromycota orders Diversisporales and Glomerales.

Bacterial Endosymbionts: Master Modulators of Fungal Phenotypes

The ecological modes of fungi are shaped not only by their intrinsic features and the environment in which they occur, but also by their interactions with diverse microbes. Here we explore the ecological and genomic features of diverse bacterial endosymbionts-endohyphal bacteria-that together are emerging as major determinants of fungal phenotypes and plant-fungi interactions. We first provide a historical perspective on the study of endohyphal bacteria. We then propose a functional classification of three main groups, providing an overview of their genomic, phylogenetic, and ecological traits. Last, we explore frontiers in the study of endohyphal bacteria, with special attention to those facultative and horizontally transmitted bacteria that associate with some of the most diverse lineages of fungi. Overall, our aim is to synthesize the rich literature from nearly 50 years of studies on endohyphal bacteria as a means to highlight potential applications and new research directions.

Positively Selected Effector Genes and Their Contribution to Virulence in the Smut Fungus Sporisorium reilianum

Plants and fungi display a broad range of interactions in natural and agricultural ecosystems ranging from symbiosis to parasitism. These ecological interactions result in coevolution between genes belonging to different partners. A well-understood example is secreted fungal effector proteins and their host targets, which play an important role in pathogenic interactions. Biotrophic smut fungi (Basidiomycota) are well-suited to investigate the evolution of plant pathogens, because several reference genomes and genetic tools are available for these species. Here, we used the genomes of Sporisorium reilianum f. sp. zeae and S. reilianum f. sp. reilianum, two closely related formae speciales infecting maize and sorghum, respectively, together with the genomes of Ustilago hordei, Ustilago maydis, and Sporisorium scitamineum to identify and characterize genes displaying signatures of positive selection. We identified 154 gene families having undergone positive selection during species divergence in at least one lineage, among which 77% were identified in the two investigated formae speciales of S. reilianum. Remarkably, only 29% of positively selected genes encode predicted secreted proteins. We assessed the contribution to virulence of nine of these candidate effector genes in S. reilianum f. sp. zeae by deleting individual genes, including a homologue of the effector gene pit2 previously characterized in U. maydis. Only the pit2 deletion mutant was found to be strongly reduced in virulence. Additional experiments are required to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the selection forces acting on the other candidate effector genes, as well as the large fraction of positively selected genes encoding predicted cytoplasmic proteins.

Candida accommodates non-culturable Helicobacter pylori in its vacuole - Koch’s postulates aren’t applicable

The following are the responses to the “letter to the editor” (“Helicobacter is preserved in yeast vacuoles! Does Koch’s postulates confirm it?”) authored by Nader Alipour and Nasrin Gaeini that rejected the methods, results, discussions and conclusions summarized in the review article authored by Siavoshi F and Saniee P. In the article, 7 papers, published between 1998 and 2013, were reviewed. The 7 papers had been reviewed and judged very carefully by the assigned expertise of the journals involved, including the reviewers of the World Journal of Gastroenterology (WJG), before publication. In the review article, 121 references were used to verify the methods, results and discussions of these 7 papers. The review article was edited by the trustworthy British editor of the (WJG), and the final version was rechecked and finally accepted by the reviewers of (WJG). None of the reviewers made comments like those in this “letter to the editor”, especially the humorous comments, which seem unprofessional and nonscientific. Above all, the authors’ comments show a lack of understanding of basic and advanced microbiology, e.g. bacterial endosymbiosis in eukaryotic cells. Accordingly, their comments all through the letter contain misconceptions. The comments are mostly based on personal conclusions, without any scientific support. It would have been beneficial if the letter had been reviewed by the reviewers of the article by Siavoshi and Saniee.

Jasmonic acid signalling and the plant holobiont

The plant holobiont - which is the plant and its associated microbiome - is increasingly viewed as an evolving entity. Some interacting microbes that compose the microbiome assist plants in combating pathogens and herbivorous insects. However, knowledge of the factors that influence the microbiome in the context of defence signalling pathways is still in its infancy. Recent research reported that changes in jasmonic acid (JA) and salicylic acid signalling affects the root microbiome of Arabidopsis thaliana. This review aims to present the hypothesis that the JA pathway represents a novel mechanism for microbiome engineering for improved holobiont fitness in agricultural systems.

Energy for two: New archaeal lineages and the origin of mitochondria

Metagenomics bears upon all aspects of microbiology, including our understanding of mitochondrial and eukaryote origin. Recently, ribosomal protein phylogenies show the eukaryote host lineage - the archaeal lineage that acquired the mitochondrion - to branch within the archaea. Metagenomic studies are now uncovering new archaeal lineages that branch more closely to the host than any cultivated archaea do. But how do they grow? Carbon and energy metabolism as pieced together from metagenome assemblies of these new archaeal lineages, such as the Deep Sea Archaeal Group (including Lokiarchaeota) and Bathyarchaeota, do not match the physiology of any cultivated microbes. Understanding how these new lineages live in their environment is important, and might hold clues about how mitochondria arose and how the eukaryotic lineage got started. Here we look at these exciting new metagenomic studies, what they say about archaeal physiology in modern environments, how they impact views on host-mitochondrion physiological interactions at eukaryote origin.

Vacuoles of Candida yeast as a specialized niche for Helicobacter pylori

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) are resistant to hostile gastric environments and antibiotic therapy, reflecting the possibility that they are protected by an ecological niche, such as inside the vacuoles of human epithelial and immune cells. Candida yeast may also provide such an alternative niche, as fluorescently labeled H. pylori were observed as fast-moving and viable bacterium-like bodies inside the vacuoles of gastric, oral, vaginal and foodborne Candida yeasts. In addition, H. pylori-specific genes and proteins were detected in samples extracted from these yeasts. The H. pylori present within these yeasts produce peroxiredoxin and thiol peroxidase, providing the ability to detoxify oxygen metabolites formed in immune cells. Furthermore, these bacteria produce urease and VacA, two virulence determinants of H. pylori that influence phago-lysosome fusion and bacterial survival in macrophages. Microscopic observations of H. pylori cells in new generations of yeasts along with amplification of H. pylori-specific genes from consecutive generations indicate that new yeasts can inherit the intracellular H. pylori as part of their vacuolar content. Accordingly, it is proposed that yeast vacuoles serve as a sophisticated niche that protects H. pylori against the environmental stresses and provides essential nutrients, including ergosterol, for its growth and multiplication. This intracellular establishment inside the yeast vacuole likely occurred long ago, leading to the adaptation of H. pylori to persist in phagocytic cells. The presence of these bacteria within yeasts, including foodborne yeasts, along with the vertical transmission of yeasts from mother to neonate, provide explanations for the persistence and propagation of H. pylori in the human population. This Topic Highlight reviews and discusses recent evidence regarding the evolutionary adaptation of H. pylori to thrive in host cell vacuoles.

Phylogenetic analysis of the genus Modicella reveals an independent evolutionary origin of sporocarp-forming fungi in the Mortierellales

Most studies of tissue differentiation and development have focused on animals and plants but many fungi form multi-cellular aggregations of spore-bearing tissue known as fruiting bodies or sporocarps. The ability to form sporocarps has arisen independently in several different evolutionary lineages of fungi. Evolutionary relationships of most sporocarp-forming fungi are well known, but the enigmatic zygomycete genus Modicella contains two species of sporocarp-forming fungi for which the phylogenetic affinities have not been explored based on molecular data. Species of Modicella have an uncertain trophic mode and have alternatively been considered members of the order Endogonales (which contains documented species of sporocarp-forming fungi) or the order Mortierellales (which contains no previously documented species of sporocarp-forming fungi). In this study we perform phylogenetic analyses based on ribosomal DNA of Modicella malleola from the Northern Hemisphere and Modicella reniformis from the Southern Hemisphere to determine the evolutionary affinities of the genus Modicella. Our analyses indicate that Modicella is a monophyletic genus of sporocarp-forming fungi nested within the Mortierellales, a group of microfungi with no previously documented sporocarp-forming species. Because Modicella is distantly related to all other known sporocarp-forming fungi, we infer that this lineage has independently evolved the ability form sporocarps. We conclude that the genus Modicella should be a high priority for comparative genomics studies to further elucidate the process of sporocarp formation in fungi.

Mitochondrial genome rearrangements in glomus species triggered by homologous recombination between distinct mtDNA haplotypes

Comparative mitochondrial genomics of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) provide new avenues to overcome long-lasting obstacles that have hampered studies aimed at understanding the community structure, diversity, and evolution of these multinucleated and genetically polymorphic organisms.AMF mitochondrial (mt) genomes are homogeneous within isolates, and their intergenic regions harbor numerous mobile elements that have rapidly diverged, including homing endonuclease genes, small inverted repeats, and plasmid-related DNA polymerase genes (dpo), making them suitable targets for the development of reliable strain-specific markers. However, these elements may also lead to genome rearrangements through homologous recombination, although this has never previously been reported in this group of obligate symbiotic fungi. To investigate whether such rearrangements are present and caused by mobile elements in AMF, the mitochondrial genomes from two Glomeraceae members (i.e., Glomus cerebriforme and Glomus sp.) with substantial mtDNA synteny divergence,were sequenced and compared with available glomeromycotan mitochondrial genomes. We used an extensive nucleotide/protein similarity network-based approach to investigated podiversity in AMF as well as in other organisms for which sequences are publicly available. We provide strong evidence of dpo-induced inter-haplotype recombination, leading to a reshuffled mitochondrial genome in Glomus sp. These findings raise questions as to whether AMF single spore cultivations artificially underestimate mtDNA genetic diversity.We assessed potential dpo dispersal mechanisms in AMF and inferred a robust phylogenetic relationship with plant mitochondrial plasmids. Along with other indirect evidence, our analyses indicate that members of the Glomeromycota phylum are potential donors of mitochondrial plasmids to plants.

The land flora: a phototroph-fungus partnership?

Numerous mutualistic associations between phototrophs and fungi exist in the extant land biota. Some are widespread, such as lichens and mycorrhizae, but some are less well known or restricted to special ecological conditions, such as endophytes in plants and algae. Recent molecular data and fossils suggest that associations arose repeatedly and that some of them are ancient, and even ancestral in the case of land plants. Mutualism, that provides various adaptations to terrestrial constraints, may have played a crucial role during terrestrialization and evolution of land phototrophs.

Diversity of morphology and function in arbuscular mycorrhizal symbioses in Brachypodium distachyon

Brachypodium distachyon is a grass species that serves as a useful model for wheat and also for many of the grass species proposed as feedstocks for bioenergy production. Here, we monitored B. distachyon symbioses with five different arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and identified symbioses that vary functionally with respect to plant performance. Three symbioses promoted significant increases in shoot phosphorus (P) content and shoot growth of Brachypodium, while two associations were neutral. The Brachypodium/Glomus candidum symbiosis showed a classic 'Paris-type' morphology. In the other four AM symbioses, hyphal growth was exclusively intracellular and linear; hyphal coils were not observed and arbuscules were abundant. Expression of the Brachypodium ortholog of the symbiosis-specific phosphate (Pi) transporter MtPT4 did not differ significantly in these five interactions indicating that the lack of apparent functionality did not result from a failure to express this gene or several other AM symbiosis-associated genes. Analysis of the expression patterns of the complete PHT1 Pi transporter gene family and AMT2 gene family in B. distachyon/G. intraradices mycorrhizal roots identified additional family members induced during symbiosis and again, transcript levels were similar in the different Brachypodium AM symbioses. This initial morphological, molecular and functional characterization provides a framework for future studies of functional diversity in AM symbiosis in B. distachyon.

Revealing natural relationships among arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi: culture line BEG47 represents Diversispora epigaea, not Glomus versiforme

Background

Understanding the mechanisms underlying biological phenomena, such as evolutionarily conservative trait inheritance, is predicated on knowledge of the natural relationships among organisms. However, despite their enormous ecological significance, many of the ubiquitous soil inhabiting and plant symbiotic arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF, phylum Glomeromycota) are incorrectly classified.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Here, we focused on a frequently used model AMF registered as culture BEG47. This fungus is a descendent of the ex-type culture-lineage of Glomus epigaeum, which in 1983 was synonymised with Glomus versiforme. It has since then been used as ‘G. versiforme BEG47’. We show by morphological comparisons, based on type material, collected 1860–61, of G. versiforme and on type material and living ex-type cultures of G. epigaeum, that these two AMF species cannot be conspecific, and by molecular phylogenetics that BEG47 is a member of the genus Diversispora.

Conclusions

This study highlights that experimental works published during the last >25 years on an AMF named ‘G. versiforme’ or ‘BEG47’ refer to D. epigaea, a species that is actually evolutionarily separated by hundreds of millions of years from all members of the genera in the Glomerales and thus from most other commonly used AMF ‘laboratory strains’. Detailed redescriptions substantiate the renaming of G. epigaeum (BEG47) as D. epigaea, positioning it systematically in the order Diversisporales, thus enabling an evolutionary understanding of genetical, physiological, and ecological traits, relative to those of other AMF. Diversispora epigaea is widely cultured as a laboratory strain of AMF, whereas G. versiforme appears not to have been cultured nor found in the field since its original description.

Local adaptation to soil hypoxia determines the structure of an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal community in roots from natural CO₂ springs

The processes responsible for producing and maintaining the diversity of natural arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal communities remain largely unknown. We used natural CO(2) springs (mofettes), which create hypoxic soil environments, to determine whether a long-term, directional, abiotic selection pressure could change AM fungal community structure and drive the selection of particular AM fungal phylotypes. We explored whether those phylotypes that appear exclusively in hypoxic soils are local specialists or widespread generalists able to tolerate a range of soil conditions. AM fungal community composition was characterized by cloning, restriction fragment length polymorphism typing, and the sequencing of small subunit rRNA genes from roots of four plant species growing at high (hypoxic) and low (control) geological CO(2) exposure. We found significant levels of AM fungal community turnover (β diversity) between soil types and the numerical dominance of two AM fungal phylotypes in hypoxic soils. Our results strongly suggest that direct environmental selection acting on AM fungi is a major factor regulating AM fungal communities and their phylogeographic patterns. Consequently, some AM fungi are more strongly associated with local variations in the soil environment than with their host plant's distribution.

A systems biology perspective on plant-microbe interactions: biochemical and structural targets of pathogen effectors

Plants have biochemical defences against stresses from predators, parasites and pathogens. In this review we discuss the interaction of plant defences with microbial pathogens such as bacteria, fungi and oomycetes, and viruses. We examine principles of complex dynamic networks that allow identification of network components that are differentially and predictably sensitive to perturbation, thus making them likely effector targets. We relate these principles to recent developments in our understanding of known effector targets in plant-pathogen systems, and propose a systems-level framework for the interpretation and modelling of host-microbe interactions mediated by effectors. We describe this framework briefly, and conclude by discussing useful experimental approaches for populating this framework.

The online database MaarjAM reveals global and ecosystemic distribution patterns in arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (Glomeromycota)

• Here, we describe a new database, MaarjAM, that summarizes publicly available Glomeromycota DNA sequence data and associated metadata. The goal of the database is to facilitate the description of distribution and richness patterns in this group of fungi. • Small subunit (SSU) rRNA gene sequences and available metadata were collated from all suitable taxonomic and ecological publications. These data have been made accessible in an open-access database (http://maarjam.botany.ut.ee). • Two hundred and eighty-two SSU rRNA gene virtual taxa (VT) were described based on a comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of all collated Glomeromycota sequences. Two-thirds of VT showed limited distribution ranges, occurring in single current or historic continents or climatic zones. Those VT that associated with a taxonomically wide range of host plants also tended to have a wide geographical distribution, and vice versa. No relationships were detected between VT richness and latitude, elevation or vascular plant richness. • The collated Glomeromycota molecular diversity data suggest limited distribution ranges in most Glomeromycota taxa and a positive relationship between the width of a taxon's geographical range and its host taxonomic range. Inconsistencies between molecular and traditional taxonomy of Glomeromycota, and shortage of data from major continents and ecosystems, are highlighted.

Molecular trait indicators: moving beyond phylogeny in arbuscular mycorrhizal ecology

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi form symbiotic associations with the roots of most plants, thereby mediating nutrient and carbon fluxes, plant performance, and ecosystem dynamics. Although considerable effort has been expended to understand the keystone ecological position of AM symbioses, most studies have been limited in scope to recording organism occurrences and identities, as determined from morphological characters and (mainly) ribosomal sequence markers. In order to overcome these restrictions and circumvent the shortcomings of culture- and phylogeny-based approaches, we propose a shift toward plant and fungal protein-encoding genes as more immediate indicators of mycorrhizal contributions to ecological processes. A number of candidate target genes, involved in the uptake of phosphorus and nitrogen, carbon cycling, and overall metabolic activity, are proposed. We discuss the advantages and disadvantages of future protein-encoding gene marker and current (phylo-) taxonomic approaches for studying the impact of AM fungi on plant growth and ecosystem functioning. Approaches based on protein-encoding genes are expected to open opportunities to advance the mechanistic understanding of ecological roles of mycorrhizas in natural and managed ecosystems.

Laser microdissection and its application to analyze gene expression in arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis

Phosphorus is essential for plant growth, and in many soils phosphorus availability limits crop production. Most plants in natural ecosystems obtain phosphorus via a symbiotic partnership with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi. While the significance of these associations is apparent, their molecular basis is poorly understood. Consequently, the potential to harness the mycorrhizal symbiosis to improve phosphorus nutrition in agriculture is not realized. Transcript profiling has recently been used to investigate gene expression changes that accompany development of the AM symbiosis. While these approaches have enabled the identification of AM-symbiosis-associated genes, they have generally involved the use of RNA from whole mycorrhizal roots. Laser microdissection techniques allow the dissection and capture of individual cells from a tissue. RNA can then be isolated from these samples and cell-type specific gene expression information can be obtained. This technology has been applied to obtain cells from plants and more recently to study plant-microbe interactions. The latter techniques, particularly those developed for root-microbe interactions, are of relevance to plant-parasitic weed research. Here, laser microdissection, its use in plant biology and in particular plant-microbe interactions are discussed. An overview of the AM symbiosis is then provided, with a focus on recent advances in understanding development of the arbuscule-cortical cell interface. Finally, the recent applications of laser microdissection for analyses of AM symbiosis are discussed.

The mitochondrial genome sequence of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus intraradices isolate 494 and implications for the phylogenetic placement of Glomus

* We have determined the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of an isolate of Glomus intraradices, a widespread and well-studied species of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus. * The total genomic DNA of 24 spores from an in vitro root organ culture of the Swiss isolate G. intraradices 494 was amplified by multiple displacement and sequenced using the Roche 454 FLX platform. Contigs were joined by PCR and Sanger sequencing. * The circular genome map of 70 606 bp has a G + C content of 37.2%. All the standard fungal mitochondrial genes are present and encoded on the same strand. There are 26 introns and five complete LAGLIDADG homing endonuclease genes. There is no evidence of substantial sequence variation. * A well-supported phylogeny based on 14 mitochondrially encoded proteins indicates that the Glomeromycota are not the sister group of the Dikarya.

Medicago truncatula and Glomus intraradices gene expression in cortical cells harboring arbuscules in the arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis

BACKGROUND

Most vascular flowering plants have the capacity to form symbiotic associations with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi. The symbiosis develops in the roots where AM fungi colonize the root cortex and form arbuscules within the cortical cells. Arbuscules are enveloped in a novel plant membrane and their establishment requires the coordinated cellular activities of both symbiotic partners. The arbuscule-cortical cell interface is the primary functional interface of the symbiosis and is of central importance in nutrient exchange. To determine the molecular events the underlie arbuscule development and function, it is first necessary to identify genes that may play a role in this process. Toward this goal we used the Affymetrix GeneChip Medicago Genome Array to document the M. truncatula transcript profiles associated with AM symbiosis, and then developed laser microdissection (LM) of M. truncatula root cortical cells to enable analyses of gene expression in individual cell types by RT-PCR.

RESULTS

This approach led to the identification of novel M. truncatula and G. intraradices genes expressed in colonized cortical cells and in arbuscules. Within the arbuscule, expression of genes associated with the urea cycle, amino acid biosynthesis and cellular autophagy was detected. Analysis of gene expression in the colonized cortical cell revealed up-regulation of a lysine motif (LysM)-receptor like kinase, members of the GRAS transcription factor family and a symbiosis-specific ammonium transporter that is a likely candidate for mediating ammonium transport in the AM symbiosis.

CONCLUSION

Transcript profiling using the Affymetrix GeneChip Medicago Genome Array provided new insights into gene expression in M. truncatula roots during AM symbiosis and revealed the existence of several G. intraradices genes on the M. truncatula GeneChip. A laser microdissection protocol that incorporates low-melting temperature Steedman's wax, was developed to enable laser microdissection of M. truncatula root cortical cells. LM coupled with RT-PCR provided spatial gene expression information for both symbionts and expanded current information available for gene expression in cortical cells containing arbuscules.

Signaling in plant disease resistance and symbiosis

Interactions between plants and microbes result in plant disease and symbiosis. The former causes considerable economic damage in modern agriculture, while the latter has produced great beneficial effects to our agriculture system. Comparison of the two interactions has revealed that a common panel of signaling pathways might participate in the establishment of the equilibrium between plant and microbes or its break-up. Plants appear to detect both pathogenic and symbiotic microbes by a similar set of genes. All symbiotic microbes seem to produce effectors to overcome plant basal defenses and it is speculated that symbiotic effectors have functions similar to pathogenic ones. Signaling molecules, salicylic acid (SA), jasmonic acid (JA) and ethylene (ET), are involved in both plant defense and symbiosis. Switching off signals contributing to deterioration of disease symptom would establish a new equilibrium between plant and pathogenic microbes. This would facilitate the development of strategies for durable disease resistance.

Loss of the flagellum happened only once in the fungal lineage: phylogenetic structure of kingdom Fungi inferred from RNA polymerase II subunit genes

Background

At present, there is not a widely accepted consensus view regarding the phylogenetic structure of kingdom Fungi although two major phyla, Ascomycota and Basidiomycota, are clearly delineated. Regarding the lower fungi, Zygomycota and Chytridiomycota, a variety of proposals have been advanced. Microsporidia may or may not be fungi; the Glomales (vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi) may or may not constitute a fifth fungal phylum, and the loss of the flagellum may have occurred either once or multiple times during fungal evolution. All of these issues are capable of being resolved by a molecular phylogenetic analysis which achieves strong statistical support for major branches. To date, no fungal phylogeny based upon molecular characters has satisfied this criterion.

Results

Using the translated amino acid sequences of the RPB1 and RPB2 genes, we have inferred a fungal phylogeny that consists largely of well-supported monophyletic phyla. Our major results, each with significant statistical support, are: (1) Microsporidia are sister to kingdom Fungi and are not members of Zygomycota; that is, Microsporidia and fungi originated from a common ancestor. (2) Chytridiomycota, the only fungal phylum having a developmental stage with a flagellum, is paraphyletic and is the basal lineage. (3) Zygomycota is monophyletic based upon sampling of Trichomycetes, Zygomycetes, and Glomales. (4) Zygomycota, Basidiomycota, and Ascomycota form a monophyletic group separate from Chytridiomycota. (5) Basidiomycota and Ascomycota are monophyletic sister groups.

Conclusion

In general, this paper highlights the evolutionary position and significance of the lower fungi (Zygomycota and Chytridiomycota). Our results suggest that loss of the flagellum happened only once during early stages of fungal evolution; consequently, the majority of fungi, unlike plants and animals, are nonflagellated. The phylogeny we infer from gene sequences is the first one that is congruent with the widely accepted morphology-based classification of Fungi. We find that, contrary to what has been published elsewhere, the four morphologically defined phyla (Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, Zygomycota and Chytridiomycota) do not overlap with one another. Microsporidia are not included within kingdom Fungi; rather they are a sister-group to the Fungi. Our study demonstrates the applicability of protein sequences from large, slowly-evolving genes to the derivation of well-resolved and highly supported phylogenies across long evolutionary distances.

Phylogenetic relationships among Zygomycetes from soil based on ITS1/2 rDNA sequences

New information was obtained on the phylogeny of Zygomycetes. PCR-RFLP analysis showed ITS1/2 rDNA to provide appropriate markers for genetic studies on Zygomycetes at the population and species levels. The use of several restriction enzymes allowed discrimination between genera and species of Mortierellales and Mucorales. ITS1/2 sequence analysis clearly indicated a deep, ancient and distinct dichotomy of Mortierellales and Mucorales. The data do not fully support the current concept of Mucorales, which recently included the family Umbelopsidaceae, but support the distinctiveness of the Umbelopsis group, which includes Mortierella turficola. The data support the hypothesis of polyphyly of Absidia and are consistent with the hypothesis of polyphyly of Mucor.

Phylogenetic analysis of Glomeromycota by partial LSU rDNA sequences

We analyzed the large subunit ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene [LSU ribosomal DNA (rDNA)] as a phylogenetic marker for arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal taxonomy. Partial LSU rDNA sequences were obtained from ten AM fungal isolates, comprising seven species, with two new primers designed for Glomeromycota LSU rDNA. The sequences, together with 58 sequences available from the databases, represented 31 AM fungal species. Neighbor joining and parsimony analyses were performed with the aim of evaluating the potential of the LSU rDNA for phylogenetic resolution. The resulting trees indicated that Archaeosporaceae are a basal group in Glomeromycota, Acaulosporaceae and Gigasporaceae belong to the same clade, while Glomeraceae are polyphyletic. The results support data obtained with the small subunit (SSU) rRNA gene, demonstrating that the LSU rRNA gene is a useful molecular marker for clarifying taxonomic and phylogenetic relationships in Glomeromycota.

Host-Microbe Interactions: Shaping the Evolution of the Plant Immune Response

The evolution of the plant immune response has culminated in a highly effective defense system that is able to resist potential attack by microbial pathogens. The primary immune response is referred to as PAMP-triggered immunity (PTI) and has evolved to recognize common features of microbial pathogens. In the coevolution of host-microbe interactions, pathogens acquired the ability to deliver effector proteins to the plant cell to suppress PTI, allowing pathogen growth and disease. In response to the delivery of pathogen effector proteins, plants acquired surveillance proteins (R proteins) to either directly or indirectly monitor the presence of the pathogen effector proteins. In this review, taking an evolutionary perspective, we highlight important discoveries over the last decade about the plant immune response.