The mycoheterotroph Arachnitis uniflora has a unique association with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

Botany ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 87 (12) ◽  
pp. 1198-1208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura S. Domínguez ◽  
Lewis Melville ◽  
Alicia Sérsic ◽  
Antonella Faccio ◽  
R. Larry Peterson

Achlorophyllous plants that are dependent on an association with fungi linked to photosynthetic plants for their carbon source are known as mycoheterotrophs. Arachnitis uniflora Phil., a monotypic member of the monocotyledonous family Corsiaceae, fits this category, as it relies on a glomalean fungus belonging to Glomus Group A for carbon acquisition. Although basic structural features of root colonization have been reported for A. uniflora, the nutrient exchange interface has not been studied. This is the first study to use confocal microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and cytochemical procedures to study the interface between a glomalean fungus and the roots of a mycoheterotrophic species. Results showed that arbuscules are never formed, and that the “vesicles in bundles” reported earlier are unlike typical glomalean vesicles, in that they form in clusters by the enlargement of hyphal branches and have a complex multilayered wall. The thick inner wall layer consists primarily of β-1,3-glucans (callose) and is surrounded by a thin outer layer of chitin. Each structure is surrounded by host cell wall material and a perifungal membrane, suggesting an involvement in nutrient exchange. The cytoplasm contains a complex of small β-1,3-glucan-containing vacuoles, lipid bodies, endobacteria, and many nuclei. These structures enlarge to occupy most of the cortical cell volume and then degrade, releasing lipids and other materials into the host cell. We suggest that these structures should not be equated with typical glomalean vesicles but are unique structures that may be involved, along with the hyphal coils, in nutrient acquisition by the host.

2005 ◽  
Vol 71 (11) ◽  
pp. 6673-6679 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Roesti ◽  
Kurt Ineichen ◽  
Olivier Braissant ◽  
Dirk Redecker ◽  
Andres Wiemken ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Spores of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) Glomus geosporum and Glomus constrictum were harvested from single-spore-derived pot cultures with either Plantago lanceolata or Hieracium pilosella as host plants. PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis revealed that the bacterial communities associated with the spores depended more on AMF than host plant identity. The composition of the bacterial populations linked to the spores could be predominantly influenced by a specific spore wall composition or AMF exudate rather than by specific root exudates. The majority of the bacterial sequences that were common to both G. geosporum and G. constrictum spores were affiliated with taxonomic groups known to degrade biopolymers (Cellvibrio, Chondromyces, Flexibacter, Lysobacter, and Pseudomonas). Scanning electron microscopy of G. geosporum spores revealed that these bacteria are possibly feeding on the outer hyaline spore layer. The process of maturation and eventual germination of AMF spores might then benefit from the activity of the surface microorganisms degrading the outer hyaline wall layer.


1979 ◽  
Vol 57 (4) ◽  
pp. 315-323 ◽  
Author(s):  
Glenn Wehtje ◽  
Larry J. Littlefield ◽  
David E. Zimmer

Penetration of sunflower, Heliantluis animus, root epidermal cells by zoospores of Plasmopara halstedii is preceded by formation of a papilla on the inner surface of the host cell wall that invaginates the host plasma membrane. Localized degradation and penetration of the host cell wall by the pathogen follow. The invading fungus forms an allantoid primary infection vesicle in the penetrated epidermal cell. The host plasma membrane invaginates around the infection vesicle but its continuity is difficult to follow. Upon exit from the epidermal cell the fungus may grow intercellularly, producing terminal haustorial branches which extend into adjacent host cells. The fungus may grow through one or two cortical cell is after growing from the epidermal cell before it becomes intercellular. Host plasma membrane is not penetrated by haustoria. Intercellular hyphae grow toward the apex of the plant and ramify the seedling tissue. Resistance in an immune cultivar is hypersensitive and is triggered upon contact of the host cell with the encysting zoospore before the host cell wall is penetrated. Degeneration of zoospore cytoplasm accompanies the hypersensitive reaction of the host. Zoospores were often parasitized by bacteria and did not germinate unless penicillin and streptomycin were added to the inoculum suspension.


2002 ◽  
Vol 68 (4) ◽  
pp. 1919-1924 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ulrich Hildebrandt ◽  
Katharina Janetta ◽  
Hermann Bothe

ABSTRACT When surface-sterilized spores of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) Glomus intraradices Sy167 were germinated on agar plates in the slightly modified minimum mineral medium described by G. Bécard and J. A. Fortin (New Phytol. 108:211-218, 1988), slime-forming bacteria, identified as Paenibacillus validus, frequently grew up. These bacteria were able to support growth of the fungus on the agar plates. In the presence of P. validus, hyphae branched profusely and formed coiled structures. These were much more densely packed than the so-called arbuscule-like structures which are formed by AMF grown in coculture with carrot roots transformed with T-DNA from Agrobacterium rhizogenes. The presence of P. validus alone also enabled G. intraradices to form new spores, mainly at the densely packed hyphal coils. The new spores were not as abundant as and were smaller than those formed by AMF in the monoxenic culture with carrot root tissues, but they also contained lipid droplets and a large number of nuclei. In these experiments P. validus could not be replaced by bacteria such as Escherichia coli K-12 or Azospirillum brasilense Sp7. Although no conditions under which the daughter spores regerminate and colonize plants have been found yet, and no factor(s) from P. validus which stimulates fungal growth has been identified, the present findings might be a significant step forward toward growth of AMF independent of any plant host.


2010 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 53 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margarita Ramírez Gómez ◽  
Alia Rodríguez Villate

<p>La asociación entre Hongo formadores de micorrizas arbusculares (HFMA) y las plantas ha permitido la adaptación de éstas a ecosistemas terrestres, presentándose en más del 80% de las plantas. El hospedero suministra carbohidratos al hongo y éste transporta los nutrientes que la planta requiere. El establecimiento de la simbiosis requiere procesos armónicos a nivel espacio-temporal, que dependen de señales específicas, para reconocimiento, colonización e intercambio de nutrientes. Las plantas presentan respuestas de defensa frente a la posible invasión de microorganismos, sin embargo, en la simbiosis éstas son débiles, localizadas y no impiden la colonización del hongo. Estas señales se observan en todas las etapas de la simbiosis, siendo la primera señal enviada por la planta en exudados de la raíz, especialmente en condiciones de bajo fósforo. Posteriormente los HFMA activan la expresión de genes que favorecen cambios a nivel celular para la formación del apresorio, del aparato de pre-penetración y en células de la corteza, del arbúsculo y la membrana periarbuscular, para el intercambio de nutrientes. Un aspecto de interés está relacionado con los mecanismos de atenuación de las respuestas de defensa de la planta. Se han planteado diversas hipótesis para entender este fenómeno y aunque el control de la simbiosis está regulado principalmente por la planta, aún se desconoce si los HFMA generan señales que facilitan el debilitamiento de las respuestas de defensa del hospedero. Este documento está orientado a hacer una revisión de las señales de reconocimiento HFMA - plantas para cada fase de la simbiosis, así como de algunos mecanismos de regulación de las respuestas de defensa de la planta para el establecimiento de la simbiosis.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Recognition Signalling Between Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) and Plants</strong></p><p> </p>The arbuscular mycorrhizal association has been instrumental for plant adaptation to terrestrial ecosystems over the last 400 million years. It is known that more than 80% of plant families form this symbiosis .Thus, nutrient exchange and protection from pathogens are thought to be key elements in the symbiosis. For the establishment of the association, harmonic processes for recognition, colonization and nutrients exchange are required both at temporal and space level. Plants react against microorganisms attack by producing defense responses, however, in the case of AM association, plant responses are weak, localized and do not stop colonization by the fungus. Signals are observed along the whole symbiosis process, being the first one produced by the plant through root exudates as a response for P stress. Then, AMF activate genes involved in plant cellular changes required for arbuscle formation, pre-penetration apparatus and at cortex level, the formation of periarbuscular membrane for the bi-directional nutrient exchange. Interestingly, several hypotheses have been formulated to explain the plant defense attenuation. For example, the activation of defense suppressors, the existence of plants with no defence responses to AMF and the existence of plants that suppress their defense response, among others. It is unknown whether the fungi induce low response levels from the host defense system. This document focuses on the signaling recognition between AMF and plants in each symbiosis phase and on the regulation mechanisms of the plant defense responses for the symbiosis establishment.


Botany ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 88 (6) ◽  
pp. 607-616 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hugues B. Massicotte ◽  
R. Larry Peterson ◽  
Lewis H. Melville ◽  
Linda E. Tackaberry

Most species in the family Cistaceae are found in the Mediterranean basin. Several hosts are of special interest, owing to their associations with truffle species, while many are important as pioneer plants in disturbed areas and in soil stabilization. For these reasons, understanding their root systems and their associated fungal symbionts is important. Most studies of the structure of mycorrhizas in this family involve two genera, Cistus and Helianthemum . The present study examines structural features of mycorrhizas in two North American species, Hudsonia ericoides L. and Hudsonia tomentosa Nutt. Root systems of both species are highly branched with most fine roots colonized by mycorrhizal fungi. Based on morphological features, several mycorrhizal fungi were identified; structural details also provided evidence of more than one fungal symbiont for each host species. All mycorrhizas had a multi-layered fungal mantle and Hartig net hyphae confined to radially elongated epidermal cells; no intracellular hyphae were observed. Although the Hartig net was confined to the epidermis, the outer row of cortical cell walls lacked suberin, a known barrier to fungal penetration. Mycorrhizas in H. ericoides and H. tomentosa differed from those of Cistus and Helianthemum species that have a Hartig net that extends into the root cortex, as well as frequently present intracellular hyphae.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lena M. Müller ◽  
Lidia Campos-Soriano ◽  
Veronique Levesque-Tremblay ◽  
Armando Bravo ◽  
Dierdra A. Daniels ◽  
...  

AbstractArbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis is a mutually beneficial association of plants and fungi of the sub-phylum Glomeromycotina. The endosymbiotic AM fungi colonize the inner cortical cells of the roots, where they form branched hyphae called arbuscules that function in nutrient exchange with the plant. To support arbuscule development and subsequently bidirectional nutrient exchange, the root cortical cells undergo substantial transcriptional re-programming. REDUCED ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZA 1 (RAM1), studied in several dicot plant species, is a major regulator of this cortical cell transcriptional program. Here, we generated ram1 mutants and RAM1 overexpressors in a monocot, Brachypodium distachyon. The AM phenotypes of two ram1 lines revealed that RAM1 is only partly required to enable arbuscule development in B. distachyon. Transgenic lines constitutively overexpressing BdRAM1 showed constitutive expression of AM-inducible genes even in the shoots. Following inoculation with AM fungi, BdRAM1-overexpressing roots showed higher arbuscule densities relative to controls, indicating the potential to manipulate the relative proportion of symbiotic interfaces via modulation of RAM1. However, the overexpressors also show altered expression of hormone biosynthesis genes and aberrant growth patterns including stunted bushy shoots and poor seed set. While these phenotypes possibly provide additional clues about BdRAM1’s scope of influence, they also indicate that directed approaches to increase the density of symbiotic interfaces will require a more focused, potentially cell-type specific manipulation of transcription factor gene expression.


Botany ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 86 (2) ◽  
pp. 185-193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haixin Xu ◽  
Ron J. Deckert ◽  
David J. Garbary

The symbiosis of a brown alga, Ascophyllum nodosum (L.) Le Jolis and its obligate fungal symbiont, Mycophycias ascophylli (Cotton) Kohlmeyer and Volkmann-Kohlmeyer, was studied using transmission electron microscopy. A high quality of cell preservation was achieved after propane-freezing and freeze substitution; this allowed us to observe the interaction of the symbiosis without extensive artifacts. The fungus was found in the middle portion of cortical-cell walls, and at the edge of medullary cells and air-bladder filaments, but never close to host cell protoplasm. Host cell-wall modification was limited to a short distance around the hyphae. A sheath with electron-dense materials around the fungus was found in the older hyphae, but not in the hyphal tips. A range of hyphal ultrastructure was observed from cells with dense cytoplasm, absent to slight vacuolation and with well-defined organelles, to highly vacuolated cells with little cytoplasm and poorly defined organelles, to senescent cells that were often collapsed with no recognizable organelles. No sign of typical cytological resistance responses was observed in host cells, thus confirming the nonantagonistic nature of the two symbionts.


1995 ◽  
Vol 73 (11) ◽  
pp. 1824-1830 ◽  
Author(s):  
John N. Klironomos

Differences in propagule levels and in the colonization of Acer saccharum feeder roots by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in maple forests distributed across three different soil types (brunisols, luvisols, podzols) were investigated. All forest stands were located in southern Ontario. Acer saccharum was the dominant tree species, making up at least 75% of all trees. Results show that arbuscular mycorrhizae can dominate in different soil types, even in podzolic soils with moder-type humus, which typically support ectomycorrhizal associations. In fact, total hyphal colonization of A. saccharum roots and the capacity of the soil to initiate infection units were highest in the podzolic soils compared with those in brunisolic and luvisolic soils. In brunisolic soils, the roots exhibited high arbuscular colonization, low coil colonization, low vesicular colonization, and relatively moderate sporulation levels. In luvisolic soils, colonization was similar to that of brunisols; however, spore densities were lower. Roots in podzolic soils showed very different trends, with a low occurrence of arbuscules, high levels of hyphal coils and vesicles, and much higher spore densities. Soil type can account for much of the variability in arbuscular mycorrhizal structure and functioning that occurs among different locations. Key words: arbuscular mycorrhizae, Acer saccharum, brunisol, luvisol, podzol.


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