Bacterial protection of beetle-fungus mutualism.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Scott JJ
PROVIDER: S-EPMC2761720 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Oct
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Publications
Bacterial protection of beetle-fungus mutualism.
Scott Jarrod J JJ Oh Dong-Chan DC Yuceer M Cetin MC Klepzig Kier D KD Clardy Jon J Currie Cameron R CR
Science (New York, N.Y.) 20081001 5898
Host-microbe symbioses play a critical role in the evolution of biological diversity and complexity. In a notably intricate system, southern pine beetles use symbiotic fungi to help overcome host-tree defenses and to provide nutrition for their larvae. We show that this beetle-fungal mutualism is chemically mediated by a bacterially produced polyunsaturated peroxide. The molecule's selective toxicity toward the beetle's fungal antagonist, combined with the prevalence and localization of its bact ...[more]
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