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Iron acquisition in the mutualistic fungus Penicillium herquei: implications of mineral elements in insect-fungus symbiosis

Summary

A fungus that lives with beetles has evolved special abilities to collect and store iron, which it shares with its insect partner. Researchers found that this mutualistic fungus produces much higher levels of iron than the plant leaves the beetles would normally eat. The fungus uses special proteins and iron-grabbing molecules to accumulate this essential nutrient, providing a nutritional advantage to the beetle and strengthening their partnership.

Background

Mutualistic interactions between insects and fungi are important for ecosystem dynamics, but their molecular mechanisms remain largely unexplored. The attelabid beetle Euops chinensis and fungus Penicillium herquei form a unique non-social insect-farming system where the fungus provides essential nutrients to the beetle.

Objective

To investigate iron acquisition strategies of the mutualistic Penicillium herquei and reveal the role of mineral elements, particularly iron, in insect-fungus symbiosis through comparative transcriptomics and iron quantification analysis.

Results

The WFS exhibited 4,357 upregulated genes compared to SFS, with significant enrichment in oxidoreductase activity, iron and heme binding genes, and cytochrome P450 (CYP450) genes. qRT-PCR confirmed differential expression of CYP450 and siderophore-related genes, and WFS demonstrated significantly higher iron content than SFS and host plant leaves.

Conclusion

The study reveals that iron metabolism plays a critical role in insect-fungus mutualism, with P. herquei developing enhanced iron acquisition strategies as an adaptation to its symbiotic lifestyle. This specialized iron accumulation enables the fungus to provide bioavailable iron to the weevil host, supporting symbiotic fitness.
  • Published in:Microbiology Spectrum,
  • Study Type:Comparative Transcriptomic Study,
  • Source: 10.1128/spectrum.01051-25, PMID: 40772886
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