Search results for "Appressorium"
showing 6 items of 6 documents
Plants and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi: Cues and Communication in the Early Steps of Symbiotic Interactions
2007
Abstract The ubiquitous nature of arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) pleads for common molecular and genetic determinants across different plant taxa. The cellular processes determining compatibility in early interactions prior to and during cell contact between arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and plant roots are starting to be unraveled. The root epidermis is an active checkpoint where signal exchanges and control over root colonization occur. Root‐secreted flavonoids, flavonols, and strigolactones can act as rhizosphere signals in stimulating presymbiotic fungal growth, although their mechanism of action on the fungal cell is as yet unknown. Likewise, fungal signals (Myc factors) activate early plan…
Symbiosis-related plant genes modulate molecular responses in an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus during early root interactions.
2009
To gain further insight into the role of the plant genome in arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) establishment, we investigated whether symbiosis-related plant genes affect fungal gene expression in germinating spores and at the appressoria stage of root interactions. Glomus intraradices genes were identified in expressed sequence tag libraries of mycorrhizal Medicago truncatula roots by in silico expression analyses. Transcripts of a subset of genes, with predicted functions in transcription, protein synthesis, primary or secondary metabolism, or of unknown function, were monitored in spores and germinating spores and during interactions with roots of wild-type or mycorrhiza-defective (Myc–) mutan…
Histidine kinases mediate differentiation, stress response, and pathogenicity in Magnaporthe oryzae.
2014
The aim of this study is a functional characterization of 10 putative histidine kinases (HIKs)-encoding genes in the phytopathogenic fungus Magnaporthe oryzae. Two HIKs were found to be required for pathogenicity in the fungus. It was found that the mutant strains ΔMohik5 and ΔMohik8 show abnormal conidial morphology and furthermore ΔMohik5 is unable to form appressoria. Both HIKs MoHik5p and MoHik8p appear to be essential for pathogenicity since the mutants fail to infect rice plants. MoSln1p and MoHik1p were previously reported to be components of the HOG pathway in M. oryzae. The ΔMosln1 mutant is more susceptible to salt stress compared to ΔMohik1, whereas ΔMohik1 appears to be stronger…
Mutations in DMI3 and SUNN modify the appressorium-responsive root proteome in arbuscular mycorrhiza.
2006
Modification of the Medicago truncatula root proteome during the early stage of arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis was investigated by comparing, using two-dimensional electrophoresis, the protein patterns obtained from non-inoculated roots and roots synchronized for Glomus intraradices appressorium formation. This approach was conducted in wild-type (J5), mycorrhiza-defective (TRV25, dmi3), and autoregulation-defective (TR122, sunn) M. truncatula genotypes. The groups of proteins that responded to appressorium formation were further compared between wild-type and mutant genotypes; few overlaps and major differences were recorded, demonstrating that mutations in DMI3 and SUNN modified the ap…
Biosynthesis of fungal melanins and their importance for human pathogenic fungi
2003
For more than 40 years fungi have been known to produce pigments known as melanins. Predominantly these have been dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA)-melanin and dihydroxynaphthalene (DHN)-melanin. The biochemical and genetical analysis of the biosynthesis pathways have led to the identification of the genes and corresponding enzymes of the pathways. Only recently have both these types of melanin been linked to virulence in some human pathogenic and phytopathogenic fungi. The absence of melanin in human pathogenic and phytopathogenic fungi often leads to a decrease in virulence. In phytopathogenic fungi such as Magnaporthe grisea and Colletotrichum lagenarium, besides other possible functions in …
Dissection of Genetic Cell Programmes Driving Early Arbuscular Mycorrhiza Interactions
2008
The persistence through evolution of the arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) symbiosis between Glomeromycota and plants is probably due to a widespread molecular dialogue between the two partners. Most studies have focussed on established mycorrhizal systems whilst evidence for cellular commitment of the symbiotic partners during early developmental phases is recent. Whereas spore germination by AM fungi can occur spontaneously, subsequent hyphal branching, appressoria differentiation, root penetration and intraradical development leading to symbiosis establishment are under the control of molecular interactions between the two partners. In this chapter, recent work on AM fungus–plant interactions i…