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Various types of mycorrhizal fungi sequences detected in single intracellular vesicles

Summary

Researchers discovered that single fatty droplet-like structures inside plant roots can contain genetic material from multiple types of fungi, both Glomeromycotina and Mucoromycotina. They developed new molecular tools to detect and identify these fungi without bias. This finding suggests fungi may live together more intimately than previously thought, which could help us better understand how plants get nutrients from fungal partners in soil.

Background

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) exist as two types: Glomeromycotina (G-AMF) and Mucoromycotina (M-AMF), which are known to co-occur in plant roots. However, physical distinction between these AMFs is difficult, and PCR amplification bias has hindered detailed analysis of their symbiotic behavior.

Objective

To isolate single vesicles from AMF-colonized roots and sequence their rRNA genes using specially designed primers with reduced amplification bias to determine the genetic composition of individual vesicles.

Results

Both G-AMF and M-AMF rRNA gene sequences were detected in single vesicles, with phylogenetic analysis revealing sequences from Endogonomycetes, Glomeromycetes, and Mortierellomycetes in individual samples. The newly designed primers successfully amplified target fungi while excluding non-mycorrhizal species.

Conclusion

The presence of multiple fungal species’ rRNA genes in single vesicles suggests genetic co-occurrence patterns previously unrecognized, opening new research avenues for understanding AMF morphology and symbiotic behavior at the cellular level.
  • Published in:Plant Biotechnology (Tokyo),
  • Study Type:Experimental Research,
  • Source: PMID: 41181073, DOI: 10.5511/plantbiotechnology.25.0228a
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