Manipulation of the onset of ectomycorrhiza formation by indole-3-acetic acid, activated charcoal or relative humidity in the association between oak microcuttings and Piloderma croceum: influence on plant development and photosynthesis

Ectomycorrhizal fungus supports endogenous rhythmic growth and corresponding resource allocation in oak during various below- and aboveground biotic interactions

Endogenous rhythmic growth (ERG) is displayed by many tropical and some major temperate tree species and characterized by alternating root and shoot flushes (RF and SF). These flushes occur parallel to changes in biomass partitioning and in allocation of recently assimilated carbon and nitrogen. To address how biotic interactions interplay with ERG, we cross-compared the RF/SF shifts in oak microcuttings in the presence of pathogens, consumers and a mycorrhiza helper bacterium, without and with an ectomycorrhizal fungus (EMF), and present a synthesis of the observations. The typical increase in carbon allocation to sink leaves during SF did not occur in the presence of root or leaf pathogens, and the increase in nitrogen allocation to lateral roots during RF did not occur with the pathogens. The RF/SF shifts in resource allocation were mostly restored upon additional interaction with the EMF. Its presence led to increased resource allocation to principal roots during RF, also when the oaks were inoculated additionally with other interactors. The interactors affected the alternating, rhythmic growth and resource allocation shifts between shoots and roots. The restoring role of the EMF on RF/SF changes in parallel to the corresponding enhanced carbon and nitrogen allocation to sink tissues suggests that the EMF is supporting plants in maintaining the ERG.

Oak displays common local but specific distant gene regulation responses to different mycorrhizal fungi

BACKGROUND

Associations of tree roots with diverse symbiotic mycorrhizal fungi have distinct effects on whole plant functioning. An untested explanation might be that such effect variability is associated with distinct impacts of different fungi on gene expression in local and distant plant organs. Using a large scale transcriptome sequencing approach, we compared the impact of three ectomycorrhizal (EMF) and one orchid mycorrhizal fungi (OMF) on gene regulation in colonized roots (local), non-colonized roots (short distance) and leaves (long distance) of the Quercus robur clone DF159 with reference to the recently published oak genome. Since different mycorrhizal fungi form symbiosis in a different time span and variable extents of apposition structure development, we sampled inoculated but non-mycorrhizal plants, for which however markedly symbiotic effects have been reported. Local root colonization by the fungi was assessed by fungal transcript analysis.

RESULTS

The EMF induced marked and species specific effects on plant development in the analysed association stage, but the OMF did not. At local level, a common set of plant differentially expressed genes (DEG) was identified with similar patterns of responses to the three EMF, but not to the OMF. Most of these core DEG were down-regulated and correspond to already described but also new functions related to establishment of EMF symbiosis. Analysis of the fungal transcripts of two EMF in highly colonized roots also revealed onset of a symbiosis establishment. In contrast, in the OMF, the DEG were mainly related to plant defence. Already at short distances, high specificities in transcriptomic responses to the four fungi were detected, which were further enhanced at long distance in leaves, where almost no common DEG were found between the treatments. Notably, no correlation between phylogeny of the EMF and gene expression patterns was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Use of clonal oaks allowed us to identify a core transcriptional program in roots colonized by three different EMF, supporting the existence of a common EMF symbiotic pathway. Conversely, the specific responses in non-colonized organs were more closely related to the specific impacts of the different of EMF on plant performance.

Potential impact of biochar types and microbial inoculants on growth of onion plant in differently textured and phosphorus limited soils

Non-renewable phosphorus (P) resources are intensively declining and recyclable P is high in demand for agricultural sector. Biochar as a renewable source of P and its physicochemical properties may improve the nutrients condition in the soil for plant availability. This study was designed to evaluate the interaction of biochar with soil microbes in differently textured and P-limited soils for P availability, root colonization and nutrient uptake by plants. Onion plants were grown in two differently textured soils with two types of biochar, with or without P application, three microbially inoculated treatments and uninoculated control. Plants were grown for 65 days and root-shoot biomass, nutrient concentration and mycorrhizal root colonization were analyzed. The WinRhizo was used to evaluate root attributes such as length, surface area and volume of roots. Biochar addition enhanced the nutrient uptake and plant biomass in the presence of P and microbial inoculants. Root colonization was notably increased in biochar + mycorrhizal inoculated plants. Biochar and soil type interactions may develop a unique behavior of nutrient uptake, root colonization, plant growth and root attributes. Biochar in combination with microbial inoculants could be considered a potentially renewable source of P fertilizer.

Tree Response to Herbivory Is Affected by Endogenous Rhythmic Growth and Attenuated by Cotreatment With a Mycorrhizal Fungus

Herbivores and mycorrhizal fungi interactively influence growth, resource utilization, and plant defense responses. We studied these interactions in a tritrophic system comprising Quercus robur, the herbivore Lymantria dispar, and the ectomycorrhizal fungus Piloderma croceum under controlled laboratory conditions at the levels of gene expression and carbon and nitrogen (C/N) allocation. Taking advantage of the endogenous rhythmic growth displayed by oak, we thereby compared gene transcript abundances and resource shifts during shoot growth with those during the alternating root growth flushes. During root flush, herbivore feeding on oak leaves led to an increased expression of genes related to plant growth and enriched gene ontology terms related to cell wall, DNA replication, and defense. C/N-allocation analyses indicated an increased export of resources from aboveground plant parts to belowground. Accordingly, the expression of genes related to the transport of carbohydrates increased upon herbivore attack in leaves during the root flush stage. Inoculation with an ectomycorrhizal fungus attenuated these effects but, instead, caused an increased expression of genes related to the production of volatile organic compounds. We conclude that oak defense response against herbivory is strong in root flush at the transcriptomic level but this response is strongly inhibited by inoculation with ectomycorrhizal fungi and it is extremely weak at shoot flush.

Transcriptome analysis in oak uncovers a strong impact of endogenous rhythmic growth on the interaction with plant-parasitic nematodes

BACKGROUND

Pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.), an important forest tree in temperate ecosystems, displays an endogenous rhythmic growth pattern, characterized by alternating shoot and root growth flushes paralleled by oscillations in carbon allocation to below- and aboveground tissues. However, these common plant traits so far have largely been neglected as a determining factor for the outcome of plant biotic interactions. This study investigates the response of oak to migratory root-parasitic nematodes in relation to rhythmic growth, and how this plant-nematode interaction is modulated by an ectomycorrhizal symbiont. Oaks roots were inoculated with the nematode Pratylenchus penetrans solely and in combination with the fungus Piloderma croceum, and the systemic impact on oak plants was assessed by RNA transcriptomic profiles in leaves.

RESULTS

The response of oaks to the plant-parasitic nematode was strongest during shoot flush, with a 16-fold increase in the number of differentially expressed genes as compared to root flush. Multi-layered defence mechanisms were induced at shoot flush, comprising upregulation of reactive oxygen species formation, hormone signalling (e.g. jasmonic acid synthesis), and proteins involved in the shikimate pathway. In contrast during root flush production of glycerolipids involved in signalling cascades was repressed, suggesting that P. penetrans actively suppressed host defence. With the presence of the mycorrhizal symbiont, the gene expression pattern was vice versa with a distinctly stronger effect of P. penetrans at root flush, including attenuated defence, cell and carbon metabolism, likely a response to the enhanced carbon sink strength in roots induced by the presence of both, nematode and fungus. Meanwhile at shoot flush, when nutrients are retained in aboveground tissue, oak defence reactions, such as altered photosynthesis and sugar pathways, diminished.

CONCLUSIONS

The results highlight that gene response patterns of plants to biotic interactions, both negative (i.e. plant-parasitic nematodes) and beneficial (i.e. mycorrhiza), are largely modulated by endogenous rhythmic growth, and that such plant traits should be considered as an important driver of these relationships in future studies.

The role of pre-symbiotic auxin signaling in ectendomycorrhiza formation between the desert truffle Terfezia boudieri and Helianthemum sessiliflorum

The ectendomycorrhizal fungus Terfezia boudieri is known to secrete auxin. While some of the effects of fungal auxin on the plant root system have been described, a comprehensive understanding is still lacking. A dual culture system to study pre mycorrhizal signal exchange revealed previously unrecognized root-fungus interaction mediated by the fungal auxin. The secreted fungal auxin induced negative taproot gravitropism, attenuated taproot growth rate, and inhibited initial host development. Auxin also induced expression of Arabidopsis carriers AUX1 and PIN1, both of which are involved in the gravitropic response. Exogenous application of auxin led to a root phenotype, which fully mimicked that induced by ectomycorrhizal fungi. Co-cultivation of Arabidopsis auxin receptor mutants tir1-1, tir1-1 afb2-3, tir1-1 afb1-3 afb2-3, and tir1-1 afb2-3 afb3-4 with Terfezia confirmed that auxin induces the observed root phenotype. The finding that auxin both induces taproot deviation from the gravity axis and coordinates growth rate is new. We propose a model in which the fungal auxin induces horizontal root development, as well as the coordination of growth rates between partners, along with the known auxin effect on lateral root induction that increases the availability of accessible sites for colonization at the soil plane of fungal spore abundance. Thus, the newly observed responses described here of the root to Terfezia contribute to a successful encounter between symbionts.

Growth Effect of Cinnamomum kanehirae Cuttings Associated with its Dark Septate Endophytes

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Stout camphor tree (Cinnamomum kanehirae Hay.) is an endemic specie in Taiwan and cutting is the major propagation of C. kanehirae for plantation. Mycorrhiza can accelerate the growth of the host plant, especially in root of the host plant. The objective of this study was to investigate the growth effect of the 2 dark septate endophytes isolated from C. kanehirae.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

To measure the effects of stains CkDB2 and CkDB5 on growth performance of cuttings, the cuttings were carefully removed from their substrate after 9 months of incubation. Each treatment had three replicates.

RESULTS

After 9 month incubation, the mycorrhizal synthesis experiment showed that the roots of synthesized cuttings produced microsclerotia, a characteristic of dark septate endophyte, but nothing was found in the control. All inoculated cuttings had higher values of net height growth, dry weight, leaf area and chlorophyll concentration than the control.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that the 2 endophytes, strains CkDB2 and CkDB5, capable of forming microsclerotia with C. kanehirae cuttings were dark septate endophytes. Based on the results, CkDB5 had a better growth response than CkDB2. Cuttings inoculated with CkDB5 showed a 200% increase in the root dry weight and therefore, CkDB5 could presumably be a prerequisite for the survival of C. kanehirae cutting plantation.

Endogenous rhythmic growth in oak trees is regulated by internal clocks rather than resource availability

Common oak trees display endogenous rhythmic growth with alternating shoot and root flushes. To explore the mechanisms involved, microcuttings of the Quercus robur L. clone DF159 were used for (13)C/(15)N labelling in combination with RNA sequencing (RNASeq) transcript profiling of shoots and roots. The effect of plant internal resource availability on the rhythmic growth of the cuttings was tested through inoculation with the ectomycorrhizal fungus Piloderma croceum. Shoot and root flushes were related to parallel shifts in above- and below-ground C and, to a lesser extent, N allocation. Increased plant internal resource availability by P. croceum inoculation with enhanced plant growth affected neither the rhythmic growth nor the associated resource allocation patterns. Two shifts in transcript abundance were identified during root and shoot growth cessation, and most concerned genes were down-regulated. Inoculation with P. croceum suppressed these transcript shifts in roots, but not in shoots. To identify core processes governing the rhythmic growth, functions [Gene Ontology (GO) terms] of the genes differentially expressed during the growth cessation in both leaves and roots of non-inoculated plants and leaves of P. croceum-inoculated plants were examined. Besides genes related to resource acquisition and cell development, which might reflect rather than trigger rhythmic growth, genes involved in signalling and/or regulated by the circadian clock were identified. The results indicate that rhythmic growth involves dramatic oscillations in plant metabolism and gene regulation between below- and above-ground parts. Ectomycorrhizal symbiosis may play a previously unsuspected role in smoothing these oscillations without modifying the rhythmic growth pattern.

Biosynthesis and Secretion of Indole-3-Acetic Acid and Its Morphological Effects on Tricholoma vaccinum-Spruce Ectomycorrhiza

Fungus-derived indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), which is involved in development of ectomycorrhiza, affects both partners, i.e., the tree and the fungus. The biosynthesis pathway, excretion from fungal hyphae, the induction of branching in fungal cultures, and enhanced Hartig net formation in mycorrhiza were shown. Gene expression studies, incorporation of labeled compounds into IAA, heterologous expression of a transporter, and bioinformatics were applied to study the effect of IAA on fungal morphogenesis and on ectomycorrhiza. Tricholoma vaccinum produces IAA from tryptophan via indole-3-pyruvate, with the last step of this biosynthetic pathway being catalyzed by an aldehyde dehydrogenase. The gene ald1 was found to be highly expressed in ectomycorrhiza and induced by indole-3-acetaldehyde. The export of IAA from fungal cells is supported by the multidrug and toxic extrusion (MATE) transporter Mte1 found in T. vaccinum. The addition of IAA and its precursors induced elongated cells and hyphal ramification of mycorrhizal fungi; in contrast, in saprobic fungi such as Schizophyllum commune, IAA did not induce morphogenetic changes. Mycorrhiza responded by increasing its Hartig net formation. The IAA of fungal origin acts as a diffusible signal, influencing root colonization and increasing Hartig net formation in ectomycorrhiza.

Large scale transcriptome analysis reveals interplay between development of forest trees and a beneficial mycorrhiza helper bacterium

BACKGROUND

Pedunculate oak, Quercus robur is an abundant forest tree species that hosts a large and diverse community of beneficial ectomycorrhizal fungi (EMFs), whereby ectomycorrhiza (EM) formation is stimulated by mycorrhiza helper bacteria such as Streptomyces sp. AcH 505. Oaks typically grow rhythmically, with alternating root flushes (RFs) and shoot flushes (SFs). We explored the poorly understood mechanisms by which oaks integrate signals induced by their beneficial microbes and endogenous rhythmic growth at the level of gene expression. To this end, we compared transcript profiles of oak microcuttings at RF and SF during interactions with AcH 505 alone and in combination with the basidiomycetous EMF Piloderma croceum.

RESULTS

The local root and distal leaf responses to the microorganisms differed substantially. More genes involved in the recognition of bacteria and fungi, defence and cell wall remodelling related transcription factors (TFs) were differentially expressed in the roots than in the leaves of oaks. In addition, interaction with AcH 505 and P. croceum affected the expression of a higher number of genes during SF than during RF, including AcH 505 elicited defence response, which was attenuated by co-inoculation with P. croceum in the roots during SF. Genes encoding leucine-rich receptor-like kinases (LRR-RLKs) and proteins (LRR-RLPs), LRR containing defence response regulators, TFs from bZIP, ERF and WRKY families, xyloglucan cell wall transglycolases/hydrolases and exordium proteins were differentially expressed in both roots and leaves of plants treated with AcH 505. Only few genes, including specific RLKs and TFs, were induced in both AcH 505 and co-inoculation treatments.

CONCLUSION

Treatment with AcH 505 induces and maintains the expression levels of signalling genes encoding candidate receptor protein kinases and TFs and leads to differential expression of cell wall modification related genes in pedunculate oak microcuttings. Local gene expression response to AcH 505 alone and in combination with P. croceum are more pronounced when roots are in resting stages, possibly due to the fact that non growing roots re-direct their activity towards plant defence rather than growth.

Streptomyces-induced resistance against oak powdery mildew involves host plant responses in defense, photosynthesis, and secondary metabolism pathways

Rhizobacteria are known to induce defense responses in plants without causing disease symptoms, resulting in increased resistance to plant pathogens. This study investigated how Streptomyces sp. strain AcH 505 suppressed oak powdery mildew infection in pedunculate oak, by analyzing RNA-Seq data from singly- and co-inoculated oaks. We found that this Streptomyces strain elicited a systemic defense response in oak that was, in part, enhanced upon pathogen challenge. In addition to induction of the jasmonic acid/ethylene-dependent pathway, the RNA-Seq data suggests the participation of the salicylic acid-dependent pathway. Transcripts related to tryptophan, phenylalanine, and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis were enriched and phenylalanine ammonia lyase activity increased, indicating that priming by Streptomyces spp. in pedunculate oak shares some determinants with the Pseudomonas-Arabidopsis system. Photosynthesis-related transcripts were depleted in response to powdery mildew infection, but AcH 505 alleviated this inhibition, which suggested there is a fitness benefit for primed plants upon pathogen challenge. This study offers novel insights into the mechanisms of priming by actinobacteria and highlights their capacity to activate plant defense responses in the absence of pathogen challenge.

Sweets for the foe - effects of nonstructural carbohydrates on the susceptibility of Quercus robur against Phytophthora quercina

The root-rot pathogen Phytophthora quercina is a key determinant of oak decline in Europe. The susceptibility of pedunculate oak (Quercus robur) to this pathogen has been hypothesized to depend on the carbon availability in roots as an essential resource for defense. Microcuttings of Q. robur undergo an alternating rhythm of root and shoot growth. Inoculation of mycorrhizal (Piloderma croceum) and nonmycorrhizal oak roots with P. quercina was performed during both growth phases, that is, root flush (RF) and shoot flush (SF). Photosynthetic and morphological responses as well as concentrations of nonstructural carbohydrates (NSC) were analyzed. Infection success was quantified by the presence of pathogen DNA in roots. Concentrations of NSC in roots depended on the alternating root/shoot growth rhythm, being high and low during RF and SF, respectively. Infection success was high during RF and low during SF, resulting in a significantly positive correlation between pathogen DNA and NSC concentration in roots, contrary to the hypothesis. The alternating growth of roots and shoots plays a crucial role for the susceptibility of lateral roots to the pathogen. NSC availability in oak roots has to be considered as a benchmark for susceptibility rather than resistance against P. quercina.

Detection and quantification of a mycorrhization helper bacterium and a mycorrhizal fungus in plant-soil microcosms at different levels of complexity

BACKGROUND

Host plant roots, mycorrhizal mycelium and microbes are important and potentially interacting factors shaping the performance of mycorrhization helper bacteria (MHB). We investigated the impact of a soil microbial community on the interaction between the extraradical mycelium of the ectomycorrhizal fungus Piloderma croceum and the MHB Streptomyces sp. AcH 505 in both the presence and the absence of pedunculate oak microcuttings.

RESULTS

Specific primers were designed to target the internal transcribed spacer of the rDNA and an intergenic region between two protein encoding genes of P. croceum and the intergenic region between the gyrA and gyrB genes of AcH 505. These primers were used to perform real-time PCR with DNA extracted from soil samples. With a sensitivity of 10 genome copies and a linear range of 6 orders of magnitude, these real-time PCR assays enabled the quantification of purified DNA from P. croceum and AcH 505, respectively. In soil microcosms, the fungal PCR signal was not affected by AcH 505 in the absence of the host plant. However, the fungal signal became weaker in the presence of the plant. This decrease was only observed in microbial filtrate amended microcosms. In contrast, the PCR signal of AcH 505 increased in the presence of P. croceum. The increase was not significant in sterile microcosms that contained plant roots.

CONCLUSIONS

Real-time quantitative PCR assays provide a method for directly detecting and quantifying MHB and mycorrhizal fungi in plant microcosms. Our study indicates that the presence of microorganisms and plant roots can both affect the nature of MHB-fungus interactions, and that mycorrhizal fungi may enhance MHB growth.

OakContigDF159.1, a reference library for studying differential gene expression in Quercus robur during controlled biotic interactions: use for quantitative transcriptomic profiling of oak roots in ectomycorrhizal symbiosis

Oaks (Quercus spp.), which are major forest trees in the northern hemisphere, host many biotic interactions, but molecular investigation of these interactions is limited by fragmentary genome data. To date, only 75 oak expressed sequence tags (ESTs) have been characterized in ectomycorrhizal (EM) symbioses. We synthesized seven beneficial and detrimental biotic interactions between microorganisms and animals and a clone (DF159) of Quercus robur. Sixteen 454 and eight Illumina cDNA libraries from leaves and roots were prepared and merged to establish a reference for RNA-Seq transcriptomic analysis of oak EMs with Piloderma croceum. Using the Mimicking Intelligent Read Assembly (MIRA) and Trinity assembler, the OakContigDF159.1 hybrid assembly, containing 65 712 contigs with a mean length of 1003 bp, was constructed, giving broad coverage of metabolic pathways. This allowed us to identify 3018 oak contigs that were differentially expressed in EMs, with genes encoding proline-rich cell wall proteins and ethylene signalling-related transcription factors showing up-regulation while auxin and defence-related genes were down-regulated. In addition to the first report of remorin expression in EMs, the extensive coverage provided by the study permitted detection of differential regulation within large gene families (nitrogen, phosphorus and sugar transporters, aquaporins). This might indicate specific mechanisms of genome regulation in oak EMs compared with other trees.

Involvement of auxin pathways in modulating root architecture during beneficial plant-microorganism interactions

A wide variety of microorganisms known to produce auxin and auxin precursors form beneficial relationships with plants and alter host root development. Moreover, other signals produced by microorganisms affect auxin pathways in host plants. However, the precise role of auxin and auxin-signalling pathways in modulating plant-microbe interactions is unknown. Dissecting out the auxin synthesis, transport and signalling pathways resulting in the characteristic molecular, physiological and developmental response in plants will further illuminate upon how these intriguing inter-species interactions of environmental, ecological and economic significance occur. The present review seeks to survey and summarize the scattered evidence in support of known host root modifications brought about by beneficial microorganisms and implicate the role of auxin synthesis, transport and signal transduction in modulating beneficial effects in plants. Finally, through a synthesis of the current body of work, we present outstanding challenges and potential future research directions on studies related to auxin signalling in plant-microbe interactions.

COMPARATIVE ANATOMY OF CALOLISIANTHUS SPECIES (GENTIANACEAE – HELIEAE) FROM BRAZIL: TAXONOMIC ASPECTS

This work aims to characterise the morphology and anatomy of roots, stems and leaves of Calolisianthus species (Gentianaceae – Helieae) to assist in the taxonomy and understanding of some adaptive responses to high luminosity, prolonged water deficit and nutritional stress in their environment. Samples of Calolisianthus speciosus and C. pendulus were collected in campo rupestre (rocky land) and samples of C. amplissimus were collected in cerrado (savanna) areas in southeastern Brazil. The roots have a cortex with Arum-type arbuscular mycorrhizae. The three species have winged and square stems and in Calolisianthus amplissimus the stem is hollow. Calolisianthus pendulus and C. speciosus have a pair of conspicuous extrafloral nectaries at the leaf base, which are absent in C. amplissimus. Calolisianthus pendulus has a dorsiventral mesophyll and a round leaf margin with parenchymatic cells. Calolisianthus amplissimus has a homogeneous mesophyll and a leaf margin with collenchyma. Calolisianthus speciosus leaves have a homogeneous mesophyll and a margin with sclerenchyma and collenchyma. Our results demonstrate that some anatomical characters are useful for the identification of Calolisianthus species and might be used to elucidate evolutionary relationships among Calolisianthus and their adaptive responses.

Mycorrhiza formation is not needed for early growth induction and growth-related changes in polyamines in Scots pine seedlings in vitro

Ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi have been shown to improve growth of the host plant before the formation of physical ECM structures, i.e. during the so-called pre-mycorrhizal phase. In the present study, changes in growth and the concentrations of individual polyamines (PAs) were followed during the mycorrhiza formation in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) seedlings in the presence of two ECM fungi, Pisolithus tinctorius and Paxillus involutus. The two fungus stains were chosen because they differed in infection characteristics as well as in PA and auxin production. The results were compared to our earlier study with two Suillus variegatus strains forming ECMs with Scots pine seedlings in vitro. Paxillus was not able to form ECMs whereas Pisolithus formed ECM association with Scots pine seedlings within two weeks. However, Paxillus enhanced the growth of the seedlings more than Pisolithus. Paxillus also increased putrescine (Put) concentrations of the seedlings in the pre-mycorrhizal phase much more than Pisolithus. A similar trend was observed in the free spermidine (Spd) in stems, whereas in the needles Paxillus decreased free Spd concentration. Pisolithus caused a threefold greater increase in root free Spd than Paxillus. Effects of Paxillus on the growth and PA fluctuation, excluding root free Spd, of the host plant resembled that observed in our previous in vitro study on S. variegatus-Scots pine interaction. Therefore, changes in specific PA concentrations in the pre-mycorrhizal phase seem to be related to growth induction by the ECM fungus rather than to mycorrhiza formation. Moreover, we suggest that growth induction in host plants is not necessarily followed by ECM formation.

Truffles regulate plant root morphogenesis via the production of auxin and ethylene

Truffles are symbiotic fungi that form ectomycorrhizas with plant roots. Here we present evidence that at an early stage of the interaction, i.e. prior to physical contact, mycelia of the white truffle Tuber borchii and the black truffle Tuber melanopsorum induce alterations in root morphology of the host Cistus incanus and the nonhost Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana; i.e. primary root shortening, lateral root formation, root hair stimulation). This was most likely due to the production of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and ethylene by the mycelium. Application of a mixture of the ethylene precursor 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid and IAA fully mimicked the root morphology induced by the mycelium for both host and nonhost plants. Application of the single hormones only partially mimicked it. Furthermore, primary root growth was not inhibited in the Arabidopsis auxin transport mutant aux1-7 by truffle metabolites while root branching was less effected in the ethylene-insensitive mutant ein2-LH. The double mutant aux1-7;ein2-LH displayed reduced sensitivity to fungus-induced primary root shortening and branching. In agreement with the signaling nature of truffle metabolites, increased expression of the auxin response reporter DR5GFP in Arabidopsis root meristems subjected to the mycelium could be observed, confirming that truffles modify the endogenous hormonal balance of plants. Last, we demonstrate that truffles synthesize ethylene from l-methionine probably through the alpha-keto-gamma-(methylthio)butyric acid pathway. Taken together, these results establish the central role of IAA and ethylene as signal molecules in truffle/plant interactions.

The role of auxins and cytokinins in the mutualistic interaction between Arabidopsis and Piriformospora indica

Arabidopsis growth and reproduction are stimulated by the endophytic fungus Piriformospora indica. The fungus produces low amounts of auxins, but the auxin levels and the expression of auxin-regulated genes are not altered in colonized roots. Also, mutants with reduced auxin levels (ilr1-1, nit1-3, tfl2, cyp79 b2b3) respond to P. indica. However, the fungus rescues the dwarf phenotype of the auxin overproducer sur1-1 by converting free auxin into conjugates, which also results in the downregulation of the auxin-induced IAA6 and the upregulation of the P. indica-induced LRR1 gene. The fungus produces relatively high levels of cytokinins, and the cytokinin levels are higher in colonized roots compared with the uncolonized controls. trans-Zeatin cytokinin biosynthesis and the CRE1/AHK2 receptor combination are crucial for P. indica-mediated growth stimulation, while mutants lacking cis-zeatin, impaired in other cytokinin receptor combinations, or containing reduced cytokinin levels respond to the fungus. Since root colonization is not affected in the cytokinin mutants, we propose that cytokinins are required for P. indica-induced growth promotion. Finally, a comparative analysis of the phytohormone mutants allows the conclusion that the response to P. indica is independent of the architecture and size of the roots.

Temperature-respiration relationships differ in mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal root systems of Picea abies (L.) Karst

Root respiration has been shown to increase with temperature, but less is known about how this relationship is affected by the fungal partner in mycorrhizal root systems. In order to test respiratory temperature dependence, in particular Q (10) of mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal root systems, seedlings of PICEA ABIES (L.) Karst. (Norway spruce) were inoculated with the ectomycorrhizal fungus PILODERMA CROCEUM (Eriksson and Hjortstam, SR430; synonym: PILODERMA FALLAX: [Libert] Stalpers) and planted in soil respiration cuvettes (mycocosms). Temperature dependence of hyphal respiration in sterile cultures was determined and compared with respiration of mycorrhizal roots. Respiration rates of mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal root systems as well as sterile cultures were sensitive to temperature. Q (10) of mycorrhizal root systems of 3.0 +/- 0.1 was significantly higher than that of non-mycorrhizal systems (2.5 +/- 0.2). Q (10) of P. CROCEUM in sterile cultures (older than 2 months) was similar to that of mycorrhizal root systems, suggesting that mycorrhizae may have a large influence on the temperature sensitivity of roots in spite of their small biomass. Our results stress the importance of considering mycorrhization when modeling the temperature sensitivity of spruce roots.

Transcriptional changes in two types of pre-mycorrhizal roots and in ectomycorrhizas of oak microcuttings inoculated with Piloderma croceum

The formation of the ectomycorrhiza implies an alteration in gene expression of both the plant and fungal partners, a process which starts before the formation of any symbiotic interface. However, little is known on the regulation pattern occurring in different parts of the root system. Our experimental system consisting of a micropropagated oak with a hierarchical root system was shown to exhibit symbiosis functional traits prior to any mycorrhizal tissue differentiation after the inoculation with the basidiomycete Piloderma croceum. Using a cDNA array, the plant gene regulation was analyzed in the pre-mycorrhizal phase. Seventy-five transcripts showed differential expression in pre-mycorrhizal lateral and principal roots, and both root types exhibited different sets of responsive genes. For transcripts selected according to a statistical analysis, the alteration in gene expression was confirmed by RT-PCR and quantitative real-time PCR. Genes regulated in pre-mycorrhizal lateral roots displayed an almost identical expression in mycorrhizas. In contrast, genes regulated in pre-mycorrhizal principal roots were often regulated differently in ectomycorrhizas. Down-regulation affected most of the regulated genes involved in metabolism, whereas most of the regulated genes related to cell rescue functions, water regulation and defence response were up-regulated. Regulation of such genes could explain the increase of global resistance observed in mycorrhizal plants.

Differential expression of two class III chitinases in two types of roots of Quercus robur during pre-mycorrhizal interactions with Piloderma croceum

Expression of two plant chitinase genes, representing members of class III chitinases, was studied in Quercus robur roots during interactions in a pre-mycorrhizal stage with the ectomycorrhizal fungus Piloderma croceum. Chitinase gene expression was compared in lateral roots destined to form ectomycorrhiza, and in principal roots that are not directly involved in mycorrhizal interactions. The transcript level of the first chitinase (QrchitIII-1) was upregulated in lateral roots, whereas no significant differential expression was observed in principal roots. The second chitinase (QrchitIII-2) was regulated neither in lateral nor in principal roots in presence of the fungus. Because P. croceum did not induce significant chitinase responses in principal roots, the enhanced expression of QrchitIII-1 in lateral roots after inoculation may be related to some steps in symbiosis ontogenesis.

Differential gene expression in filamentous cells of Ustilago maydis

When fungi interact with plants as pathogens or as symbionts, there are often changes in fungal cell morphology and nuclear state. This study establishes the use of cDNA microarrays to detect gene expression changes in Ustilago maydis cells that differ in structure and nuclear content. Categorizing differentially expressed genes on the basis of function indicated that U. maydis cell types vary most in the expression of genes related to metabolism. We also observed that more genes are up-regulated in the filamentous dikaryon than in the filamentous diploid, relative to non-pathogenic budding cells. Our comparison of pathogenic development indicated that the dikaryon is more virulent than the diploid. Other identified expression patterns suggest a cell-specific difference in nutrient acquisition, cell metabolism and signal transduction. The relevance of gene expression change to cell type biology is discussed.

Identification of premycorrhiza-related plant genes in the association between Quercus robur and Piloderma croceum

•  An in vitro system with micropropagated oaks (Quercus robur) and the ectomycorrhizal fungus Piloderma croceum, which is characterized by a delayed mycorrhiza formation, was used to identify plant transcripts upregulated in the premycorrhizal phase. •  Complementary DNA (cDNA) populations of uninoculated roots and fungal mycelium were subtracted from a cDNA population of inoculated roots. Differential expression was confirmed by reverse Northern and 50 clones for different polypeptides were found to be up-regulated. Twenty-nine clones were investigated in more detail. •  For approximately half of the cDNA fragments no homologies could be identified in databases. The residual fragments code for polypeptides with homologies to known proteins involved in signal perception and transmission, stress responses, metabolism and growth. •  Since many of the identified genes have not yet been described in the context of symbiotic events, their potential roles during early phases of the recognition process are discussed.