Morphological, biochemical and molecular changes during ectomycorrhiza development

The impact of host plant (Pinus thunbergii) on the mycelial features of the ectomycorrhizal fungus Rhizopogon roseolus

The impact of host plant on the mycelial features of mycorrhizal symbiont and its characteristics has been poorly investigated. This study aimed to compare and quantify (statistically tested) some of the mycelial features of an ectomycorrhiza (ECM)-forming fungus with and without the ECM host. The ECM-forming fungus, Rhizopogon roseolus, inoculated with or without Pinus thunbergii on both rich and poor nutrient media, was observed under laboratory conditions. On rich medium, fungi with the host had the highest colony diameter and consistently produced the highest hyphal length relative to fungi on other media. Thus, the host had a significant impact on the mycelium production of R. roseolus in both rich and poor media. Further, fungi without the host had a higher number of hyphal anastomoses per hyphal length on both poor and rich media than fungi with the host in the same medium. Anastomosis, which refers to the fusion of two parallel hyphae, was evident in all experiments. However, there was no significant impact of the host on the number of hyphal anastomoses. In addition, fungi without the host had more frequent hyphal branching on both rich and poor media than fungi with the host. The occurrence of a host only had a significant impact on the formation of the hyphal branch on poor medium. Further, a chlamydospore-like structure was identified, which had a higher diameter when formed with the host on both rich and poor media. The present data provide new insights into the host plant's impact on the mycelial features of ECM-forming fungi.

Effect of earthworms on mycorrhization, root morphology and biomass of silver fir seedlings inoculated with black summer truffle (Tuber aestivum Vittad.)

Species of the genus Tuber have gained a lot of attention in recent decades due to their aromatic hypogenous fruitbodies, which can bring high prices on the market. The tendency in truffle production is to infect oak, hazel, beech, etc. in greenhouse conditions. We aimed to show whether silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) can be an appropriate host partner for commercial mycorrhization with truffles, and how earthworms in the inoculation substrate would affect the mycorrhization dynamics. Silver fir seedlings inoculated with Tuber. aestivum were analyzed for root system parameters and mycorrhization, how earthworms affect the bare root system, and if mycorrhization parameters change when earthworms are added to the inoculation substrate. Seedlings were analyzed 6 and 12 months after spore inoculation. Mycorrhization with or without earthworms revealed contrasting effects on fine root biomass and morphology of silver fir seedlings. Only a few of the assessed fine root parameters showed statistically significant response, namely higher fine root biomass and fine root tip density in inoculated seedlings without earthworms 6 months after inoculation, lower fine root tip density when earthworms were added, the specific root tip density increased in inoculated seedlings without earthworms 12 months after inoculation, and general negative effect of earthworm on branching density. Silver fir was confirmed as a suitable host partner for commercial mycorrhization with truffles, with 6% and 35% mycorrhization 6 months after inoculation and between 36% and 55% mycorrhization 12 months after inoculation. The effect of earthworms on mycorrhization of silver fir with Tuber aestivum was positive only after 6 months of mycorrhization, while this effect disappeared and turned insignificantly negative after 12 months due to the secondary effect of grazing on ectomycorrhizal root tips.

Spatiotemporal Transformation in the Alkaloid Profile of Pinus Roots in Response to Mycorrhization

Root alkaloids remain highly unexplored in ectomycorrhizae development studies. By employing ultrahigh mass resolution mass spectrometry imaging techniques, we showed substantial relocation and transformation of piperidine alkaloids in pine root tips in response to Suillus mycorrhization. We imaged, in the time frame of ectomycorrhizae formation, a completely different alkaloid profile in Pinus strobus, where basidiospores of Suillus spraguei induce morphogenesis of symbiotic tissues, than in Pinus taeda, where such interaction fails to induce morphogenesis. On the basis of spatial colocalization studies, we proposed some alternative routes for biosynthesis of these alkaloids that supplement existing literature data.

An expression cDNA library for suppression cloning in yeast mutants, complementation of a yeast his4 mutant, and EST analysis from the symbiotic basidiomycete Hebeloma cylindrosporum

An oriented expression library was constructed from the mycelia of the symbiotic model fungus Hebeloma cylindrosporum in the high-level yeast expression vector pDR196. DNA sequencing of approximately 500 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) showed that 15% correspond to known genes, two thirds contain sequences with unknown function, andthe remaining 20% showed no significant similarity to any known genes. The ESTs had a GC content between 44 and 56%, with most of them having a GC content of 52-54%, which could be correlated with GC contents of fungal genes. The library was successfully used to identify the Hebeloma HIS4 gene by functional complementation of a yeast his4 mutant. Thus, the library may serve as a powerful tool for identification and characterization of mycorrhizal genes by EST analysis and for the identification of ectomycorrhizal genes by means of suppression cloning.

Isolation and characterization of a symbiosis-regulated ras from the ectomycorrhizal fungus Laccaria bicolor

Ectomycorrhizae formed by the symbiotic interaction between ectomycorrhizal fungi and plant roots play a key role in maintaining and improving the health of a wide range of plants. Mycorrhizal initiation, development, and functional maintenance involve morphological changes that are mediated by activation and suppression of several fungal and plant genes. We identified a gene, Lbras, in the ectomycorrhizal fungus Laccaria bicolor that belongs to the ras family of genes, which has been shown in other systems to be associated with signaling pathways controlling cell growth and proliferation. The Lbras cDNA complemented ras2 function in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and had the ability to transform mammalian cells. Expression of Lbras, present as a single copy in the genome, was dependent upon interaction with host roots. Northern analysis showed that expression was detectable in L bicolor 48 h after interaction as well as in the established mycorrhizal tissue. Phylogenetic analysis with other Ras proteins showed that Lbras is related most closely to Aras of Aspergillus nidulans.

Identification of symbiosis-regulated genes in Eucalyptus globulus-Pisolithus tinctorius ectomycorrhiza by differential hybridization of arrayed cDNAs

Ectomycorrhiza development alters gene expression in the fungal and plant symbionts. The identification of a large number of genes expressed exclusively or predominantly in the symbiosis will contribute greatly to the understanding of the development of the ectomycorrhizal symbiosis. We have constructed a cDNA library of 4-day-old Eucalyptus globulus-Pisolithus tinctorius ectomycorrhiza and sequenced 850 cDNAs cloned randomly or obtained through suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH). Based on the absence of a database match, 43% of the ectomycorrhiza ESTs are coding for novel genes. At the developmental stage analysed (fungal sheath formation), the majority of the identified sequences represented 'housekeeping' proteins, i.e. proteins involved in gene/protein expression, cell-wall proteins, metabolic enzymes, and components of signalling systems. We screened arrayed cDNAs to identify symbiosis-regulated genes by using differential hybridization. Comparisons of signals from free-living partners and symbiotic tissues revealed significant differences in expression levels (differential expression ratio >2.5) for 17% of the genes analysed. No ectomycorrhiza-specific gene was detected. The results successfully demonstrate the use of the cDNA array and SSH systems as general approaches for dissecting symbiosis development, and provide the first global picture of the cellular functions operating in ectomycorrhiza.

Cell wall proteins of the ectomycorrhizal basidiomycete Pisolithus tinctorius: identification, function, and expression in symbiosis

Specific cell-cell and cell-substrate interactions direct the growth of ectomycorrhizal fungi to their host root targets. These elaborate mechanisms lead to the differentiation of distinct multihyphal structures, the mantle, and the Hartig net. In the ectomycorrhizal basidiomycete Pisolithus tinctorius, the use of two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, immunocytochemical microscopy, and RNA blot analysis has demonstrated the differential expression of cell wall proteins (CWPs), such as hydrophobins, adhesins, and mannoproteins, during symbiotic interaction. In other fungi, these CWPs have been suggested to play a role in hyphae aggregation, intracellular signaling cascades, and cytoskeletal changes. The recent cloning of the genes for several of these CWPs in P. tinctorius allows us to address their function in symbiosis. This review summarizes our knowledge of CWPs in P. tinctorius and considers parallels with other biotrophic fungi as a possible framework for future work.

Fungal gene expression during ectomycorrhiza formation

Ectomycorrhiza development involves the differentiation of structurally specialized fungal tissues (e.g., mantle and Hartig net) and an interface between symbionts. Polypeptides presenting a preferential, up-, or down-regulated synthesis have been characterized in several developing ectomycorrhizal associations. Their spatial and temporal expressions have been characterized by cell fractionation, two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and immunochemical assays in the Eucalyptus spp. – Pisolithus tinctorius mycorrhizas. These studies have emphasized the importance of fungal cell wall polypeptides during the early stages of the ectomycorrhizal interaction. The increased synthesis of 30- to 32-kDa acidic polypeptides, together with the decreased accumulation of a prominent 95-kDa mannoprotein provided evidence for major alterations of Pisolithus tinctorius cell walls during mycorrhiza formation. Differential cDNA library screening and shotgun cDNA sequencing were used to clone symbiosis-regulated fungal genes. Several abundant transcripts showed a significant amino acid sequence similarity to a family of secreted morphogenetic fungal proteins, the so-called hydrophobic. In P. tinctorius, the content of hydrophobin transcripts is high in aerial hyphae and during the ectomycorrhizal sheath formation. Alteration of cell walls and the extracellular matrix is therefore a key event in the ectomycorrhiza development. An understanding of the molecular mechanisms that underlies the temporal and spatial control of genes and proteins involved in the development of the symbiotic interface is now within reach, as more sophisticated techniques of molecular and genetic analysis are applied to the mycorrhizal interactions. Key words: cell walls, ectomycorrhiza, ectomycorrhizins, fungal development, hydrophobins, symbiosis-regulated polypeptides.

Cloning symbiosis-related cDNAs from eucalypt ectomycorrhiza by PCR-assisted differential screening

As part of a project to identify symbiosis-related genes, we report here a simple differential screening procedure for isolating up- and down-regulated fungal transcripts from a cDNA library of the developing Eucalyptus globulus-Pisolithus tinctorius mycorrhiza. cDNA inserts of randomly selected λZAP plaques were amplified by PCR and separated by agarose gel electrophoresis. The PCR-amplified cDNA samples were then screened by Southern blotting, using radiolabelled-cDNA probes of high specific activity. We have applied this method to fungal transcripts that are differentially expressed in ectomycorrhizas during the early stages of development. We estimate that about 50 % of the fungal mRNA population is regulated by development of the symbiosis; several up- and down-regulated cDNAs have been isolated for further analysis.

Ectomycorrhizins - symbiosis-specific or artifactual polypeptides from ectomycorrhizas?

Fungal mycelium of the fly agaric (Amanita muscaria [L. ex Fr.] Hooker), and inoculated or noninoculated seedlings of Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) were grown aseptically under controlled conditions. In order to detect symbiosis-specific polypeptides ('ectomycorrhizins', see Hubert and Martin, 1988, New Phytol.110, 339-346) the protein patterns of (i) fungal mycelium, (ii) mycorrhizal, and (iii) non-mycorrhizal root tips were compared by means of one- and twodimensional electrophoresis on a microscale. Because of the sensitivity of these micromethods (50 and 200 ng of protein, respectively), single mycorrhizal root tips and even the minute quantities of extramatrical mycelium growing between the roots of inoculated plants could be analysed. Differences in the protein patterns of root tips could be shown within the root system of an individual plant (mycorrhizal as well as non-mycorrhizal). In addition, the protein pattern of fungal mycelium grown on a complex medium (malt extract and casein hydrolysate) differed from that of extramatrical mycelium collected from the mycorrhiza culture (pure mineral medium). Such differences in protein patterns are obviously due to the composition of the media and/or different developmental stages. Consequently, conventional analyses which use extracts of a large number of root tips, are not suitable for differentiating between these effects and symbiosis-specific differences in protein patterns. In order to detect ectomycorrhizins, it is suggested that roots and mycelium from individual, inoculated plants should be analysed. This approach eliminates the influence of differing media, and at the same time allows a correct discrimination between developmental and symbiosisspecific changes. In our gels we could only detect changes in spot intensity but could not detect any ectomycorrhizins or the phenomenon of polypeptide 'cleansing', which both characterize theEucalyptus-Pisolithus symbiosis (Martin and Hubert, 1991, Experientia47, 321-331). We thus suggest that these reported effects either are specific for theEucalyptus-Pisolithus symbiosis or simply represent artifacts. The latter point of view is strengthened by a comparison of the experimental approaches.