Project description:Arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis is a predominant relationship between plant and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. To idendify arbuscular mycorrhiza responsive miRNAs, small RNA libraries were constructed in tomato roots colonized with Rhizophagus irregularis and without Rhizophagus irregularis. We identify miRNAs in tomato roots and provide a new profile of tomato miRNAs. And we found that some miRNAs were responsive to arbuscular mycorrhiza by comparing miRNAs in treatment with that in control. Examination of arbuscular mycorrhiza responsive miRNAs in tomato through high-throughput small RNA sequencing of roots with Rhizophagus irregularis and that without Rhizophagus irregularis
Project description:BACKGROUND:Mycorrhizal symbiosis is one of the most fundamental types of mutualistic plant-microbe interaction. Among the many classes of mycorrhizae, the arbuscular mycorrhizae have the most general symbiotic style and the longest history. However, the genomes of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi are not well characterized due to difficulties in cultivation and genetic analysis. In this study, we sequenced the genome of the AM fungus Rhizophagus clarus HR1, compared the sequence with the genome sequence of the model species R. irregularis, and checked for missing genes that encode enzymes in metabolic pathways related to their obligate biotrophy. RESULTS:In the genome of R. clarus, we confirmed the absence of cytosolic fatty acid synthase (FAS), whereas all mitochondrial FAS components were present. A KEGG pathway map identified the absence of genes encoding enzymes for several other metabolic pathways in the two AM fungi, including thiamine biosynthesis and the conversion of vitamin B6 derivatives. We also found that a large proportion of the genes encoding glucose-producing polysaccharide hydrolases, that are present even in ectomycorrhizal fungi, also appear to be absent in AM fungi. CONCLUSIONS:In this study, we found several new genes that are absent from the genomes of AM fungi in addition to the genes previously identified as missing. Missing genes for enzymes in primary metabolic pathways imply that AM fungi may have a higher dependency on host plants than other biotrophic fungi. These missing metabolic pathways provide a genetic basis to explore the physiological characteristics and auxotrophy of AM fungi.
Project description:Arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis is a predominant relationship between plant and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. To idendify arbuscular mycorrhiza responsive miRNAs, small RNA libraries were constructed in tomato roots colonized with Rhizophagus irregularis and without Rhizophagus irregularis. We identify miRNAs in tomato roots and provide a new profile of tomato miRNAs. And we found that some miRNAs were responsive to arbuscular mycorrhiza by comparing miRNAs in treatment with that in control.
Project description:Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi form mutualistic relationships with most land plant species. AM fungi have long been considered as ancient asexuals. Long-term clonal evolution would be remarkable for a eukaryotic lineage and suggests the importance of alternative mechanisms to promote genetic variability facilitating adaptation. Here, we assessed the potential of transposable elements (TEs) for generating genomic diversity. The dynamic expression of TEs during Rhizophagus irregularis spore development suggests ongoing TE activity. We find Mutator-like elements located near genes belonging to highly expanded gene families. Characterising the epigenomic status of R. irregularis provides evidence of DNA methylation and small RNA production occurring at TE loci. Our results support a potential role for TEs in shaping the genome, and roles for DNA methylation and small RNA-mediated silencing in regulating TEs. A well-controlled balance between TE activity and repression may therefore contribute to genome evolution in AM fungi.