Molecular signals required for the establishment and maintenance of ectomycorrhizal symbioses
Citations Over TimeTop 1% of 2015 papers
Abstract
Ectomycorrhizal (ECM) symbioses are among the most widespread associations between roots of woody plants and soil fungi in forest ecosystems. These associations contribute significantly to the sustainability and sustainagility of these ecosystems through nutrient cycling and carbon sequestration. Unfortunately, the molecular mechanisms controlling the mutual recognition between both partners are still poorly understood. Elegant work has demonstrated that effector proteins from ECM and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi regulate host defenses by manipulating plant hormonal pathways. In parallel, genetic and evolutionary studies in legumes showed that a 'common symbiosis pathway' is required for the establishment of the ancient AM symbiosis and has been recruited for the rhizobia-legume association. Given that genes of this pathway are present in many angiosperm trees that develop ectomycorrhizas, we propose their potential involvement in some but not all ECM associations. The maintenance of a successful long-term relationship seems strongly regulated by resource allocation between symbiotic partners, suggesting that nutrients themselves may serve as signals. This review summarizes our current knowledge on the early and late signal exchanges between woody plants and ECM fungi, and we suggest future directions for decoding the molecular basis of the underground dance between trees and their favorite fungal partners.
Related Papers
- → Lifestyle alternatives for rhizobia: mutualism, parasitism, and forgoing symbiosis(2004)180 cited
- → Lifestyle alternatives for rhizobia: mutualism, parasitism, and forgoing symbiosis(2004)175 cited
- → Ants are less attracted to the extrafloral nectar of plants with symbiotic, nitrogen‐fixing rhizobia(2014)57 cited
- → Widespread Negative Frequency-Dependent Selection Maintains Diversity in the Legume-Rhizobia Symbiosis: Balancing nodulation may explain the paradox of rhizobium diversity(2017)7 cited
- → Symbiosis with rhizobia limits range expansion only in polyploid legumes(2022)3 cited