Verstraete B, Janssens S, De Block P, Asselman P, Méndez G, Ly S, Hamon P, Guyot R. Metagenomics of African
Empogona and
Tricalysia (Rubiaceae) reveals the presence of leaf endophytes.
PeerJ 2023;
11:e15778. [PMID:
37554339 PMCID:
PMC10405798 DOI:
10.7717/peerj.15778]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Leaf symbiosis is a phenomenon in which host plants of Rubiaceae interact with bacterial endophytes within their leaves. To date, it has been found in around 650 species belonging to eight genera in four tribes; however, the true extent in Rubiaceae remains unknown. Our aim is to investigate the possible occurrence of leaf endophytes in the African plant genera Empogona and Tricalysia and, if present, to establish their identity.
METHODS
Total DNA was extracted from the leaves of four species of the Coffeeae tribe (Empogona congesta, Tricalysia hensii, T. lasiodelphys, and T. semidecidua) and sequenced. Bacterial reads were filtered out and assembled. Phylogenetic analysis of the endophytes was used to reveal their identity and their relationship with known symbionts.
RESULTS
All four species have non-nodulated leaf endophytes, which are identified as Caballeronia. The endophytes are distinct from each other but related to other nodulated and non-nodulated endophytes. An apparent phylogenetic or geographic pattern appears to be absent in endophytes or host plants. Caballeronia endophytes are present in the leaves of Empogona and Tricalysia, two genera not previously implicated in leaf symbiosis. This interaction is likely to be more widespread, and future discoveries are inevitable.
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