Many microorganisms form symbioses with plants that range, on a continuous scale, from parasitic to mutualistic. Among these, the most widespread mutualistic symbiosis is the arbuscular mycorrhiza, formed between arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and vascular flowering plants. These associations occur in terrestrial ecosystems throughout the world and have a global impact on plant phosphorus nutrition. The arbuscular mycorrhiza is an endosymbiosis in which the fungus inhabits the root cortical cells and obtains carbon provided by the plant while it transfers mineral nutrients from the soil to the cortical cells. Development of the symbiosis involves the differentiation of both symbionts to create novel symbiotic interfaces within the root cells. The aim of this review is to explore the current understanding of the signals and signaling pathways used by the symbionts for the development of the AM symbiosis. Although the signal molecules used for initial communication are not yet known, recent studi...

Signaling in the arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis

▪ Abstract Arbuscular mycorrhizae are symbiotic associations formed between a wide range of plant species including angiosperms, gymnosperms, pteridophytes, and some bryophytes, and a limited range of fungi belonging to a single order, the Glomales. The symbiosis develops in the plant roots where the fungus colonizes the apoplast and cells of the cortex to access carbon supplied by the plant. The fungal contribution to the symbiosis is complex, but a major aspect includes the transfer of mineral nutrients, particularly phosphate from the soil to the plant. Development of this highly compatible association requires the coordinate molecular and cellular differentiation of both symbionts to form specialized interfaces over which bi-directional nutrient transfer occurs. Recent insights into the molecular events underlying these aspects of the symbiosis are discussed.

Molecular and cellular aspects of the arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis

http://directory.umm.ac.id/Data%20Elmu/jurnal/P/Postharvest%20Biology%20and%20Technology/Vol19.Issue3.Jul2000/1695.pdf

Control of postharvest decay of apple fruit by Aureobasidium pullulans and induction of defense responses

The molecular biology of chitin digestion.

Expression of eight different chitinase genes, representing members of five chitinase classes, was studied in Medicago truncatula roots during formation of arbuscular mycorrhiza with Glomus intraradices, nodulation with Rhizobium meliloti, and pathogen attack by Phytophthora megasperma f. sp. medicaginis, Fusarium solani f. sp. phaseoli (compatible interactions with root rot symptoms), Ascochyta pisi (compatible, symptomless), and F. solani f. sp. pisi (incompatible, nonhost interaction). In the compatible plant-pathogen interactions, expression of class I, II, and IV chitinase genes was enhanced. The same genes were induced during nodulation. Transcripts of class I and II chitinase genes accumulated transiently during early stages of the interaction, and transcripts of the class IV chitinase gene accumulated in mature nodules. The pattern of chitinase gene expression in mycorrhizal roots was markedly different: Expression of class I, II, and IV chitinase genes was not enhanced, whereas expression of three class III chitinase genes, with almost no basal expression, was strongly induced. Two of these three (Mtchitinase III-2 and Mtchitinase III-3) were not induced at all in interactions with pathogens and rhizobia. Thus, the expression of two mycorrhiza-specific class III chitinase genes can be considered a hallmark for the establishment of arbuscular mycorrhiza in Medicago truncatula.

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Differential expression of eight chitinase genes in Medicago truncatula roots during mycorrhiza formation, nodulation, and pathogen infection.

Two chitinases (EC 3.2.1.14) and two [beta]-1,3-glucanases (EC 3.2.1.39) were purified from the culture medium of spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) cells to study their role in modifying elicitors, cell walls, growth, and hyphal morphology of ectomycorrhizal fungi. The 36-kD class I chitinase (isoelectric point [pl] 8.0) and the 28-kD chitinase (pl 8.7) decreased the activity of elicitor preparations from Hebeloma crustuliniforme (Bull. ex Fries.) Quel., Amanita muscaria (L.) Pers., and Suillus variegatus (Sw.: Fr.) O.K., as demonstrated by using the elicitor-induced extracellular alkalinization in spruce cells as a test system. In addition, chitinases released monomeric products from the walls of these ectomycorrhizal fungi. The [beta]-1,3-glucanases (35 kD, pl 3.7 and 3.9), in contrast, had little influence on the activity of the fungal elicitors and released only from walls of A. muscaria some polymeric products. Furthermore, chitinases alone and in combination with [beta]-1,3-glucanases had no effect on the growth and morphology of the hyphae. Thus, it is suggested that apoplastic chitinases in the root cortex destroy elicitors from the ectomycorrhizal fungi without damaging the fungus. By this mechanism the host plant could attenuate the elicitor signal and adjust its own defense reactions to a level allowing symbiotic interaction.

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A. Sirrenberg

Papers

Differential effect of purified spruce chitinases and beta-1,3-glucanases on the activity of elicitors from ectomycorrhizal fungi.