A secreted protein from Rhizophagus irregularis enhances the mycorrhization in Nicotiana benthamiana.
C. QUAN (1), E. Evangelisti (2), S. Schornack (2) (1) The Sainsbury Laboratory, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom; (2) The Sainsbury Laboratory, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi are beneficial microorganisms able to colonize roots of most land plants. So far very little is known about the fungal genes required for the establishment of the symbiosis. Despite similar infection strategies with filamentous pathogens, one effector from the AM fungus R. irregularis has been characterized. Based on the transcriptome of R. irregularis many more proteins might be implicated in the establishment and maintenance of the symbiosis. A subset of 24 R. irregularis secreted proteins have been selected and their expression investigated during N. benthamiana root colonisation. Additionally their subcellular localization in N. benthamiana leaf epidermal and root cells was assessed.  Stable heterologous expression of two sequence-similar candidates in N. benthamiana has resulted in a higher colonization level compared to the wild type control. We are currently investigating interacting host proteins. By studying R. irregularis we hope to find key fungal genes supporting the symbiosis in a broad range of unrelated hosts.

Abstract Number: P2-47
Session Type: Poster