학술논문

Comparative genomics and transcriptomics depict ericoid mycorrhizal fungi as versatile saprotrophs and plant mutualists
Document Type
article
Source
New Phytologist. 217(3)
Subject
Microbiology
Biological Sciences
Ecology
Genetics
Biotechnology
Responsible Consumption and Production
Conserved Sequence
Fungi
Gene Expression Regulation
Fungal
Genes
Fungal
Genomics
Mycorrhizae
Phylogeny
Plants
Secondary Metabolism
Substrate Specificity
Symbiosis
Transcriptome
Up-Regulation
comparative genomics
Ericaceae
ericoid mycorrhizal fungi
Leotiomycetes
transcriptomics
Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences
Plant Biology & Botany
Plant biology
Climate change impacts and adaptation
Ecological applications
Language
Abstract
Some soil fungi in the Leotiomycetes form ericoid mycorrhizal (ERM) symbioses with Ericaceae. In the harsh habitats in which they occur, ERM plant survival relies on nutrient mobilization from soil organic matter (SOM) by their fungal partners. The characterization of the fungal genetic machinery underpinning both the symbiotic lifestyle and SOM degradation is needed to understand ERM symbiosis functioning and evolution, and its impact on soil carbon (C) turnover. We sequenced the genomes of the ERM fungi Meliniomyces bicolor, M. variabilis, Oidiodendron maius and Rhizoscyphus ericae, and compared their gene repertoires with those of fungi with different lifestyles (ecto- and orchid mycorrhiza, endophytes, saprotrophs, pathogens). We also identified fungal transcripts induced in symbiosis. The ERM fungal gene contents for polysaccharide-degrading enzymes, lipases, proteases and enzymes involved in secondary metabolism are closer to those of saprotrophs and pathogens than to those of ectomycorrhizal symbionts. The fungal genes most highly upregulated in symbiosis are those coding for fungal and plant cell wall-degrading enzymes (CWDEs), lipases, proteases, transporters and mycorrhiza-induced small secreted proteins (MiSSPs). The ERM fungal gene repertoire reveals a capacity for a dual saprotrophic and biotrophic lifestyle. This may reflect an incomplete transition from saprotrophy to the mycorrhizal habit, or a versatile life strategy similar to fungal endophytes.