The biology and chemistry of a mutualism between a soil bacterium and a mycorrhizal fungus
Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi (e.g., Rhizophagus species) recruit specific bacterial species in their hyphosphere. However, the chemical interplay and the mutual benefit of this intricate partnership have not been investigated yet, especially as it involves bacteria known as strong producers of antifungal compounds such as Bacillus velezensis. Here, we show that the soil-dwelling B. velezensis migrates along the hyphal network of the AM fungus R. irregularis, forming biofilms and inducing cytoplasmic flow in the AM fungus that contributes to host plant root colonization by the bacterium. During hyphosphere colonization, R. irregularis modulates the biosynthesis of specialized metabolites in B. velezensis to ensure stable coexistence and as a mechanism to ward off mycoparasitic fungi and bacteria. These mutual benefits are extended into a tripartite context via the provision of enhanced protection to the host plant through the induction of systemic resistance.
Authors
- Sébastien Steels (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2184-4822)
- Stéphanie Lambert (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9564-1270)
- Stéphane Declerck (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0459-5975)
- Adrien Anckaert (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-7385-0901)
- Anthony Argüelles Arias (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4359-733X)
- Farah Boubsi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-9336-7642)
- Marc Ongena (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7418-4354)
- Maryline Calonne (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6241-6659)
- Catherine Helmus
- Laure-Anne Poussart
Institutions
- University of Liège (BE)
- Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech (BE)
- UCLouvain (BE)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Current Biology
- Published
- 2024-10-07
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2024.09.019
- Citations
- 46
- Primary Topic
- Mycorrhizal Fungi and Plant Interactions
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 27.58
Funders
- Fonds De La Recherche Scientifique - FNRS
- Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek
- Universiteit Gent
- Direction Générale Opérationnelle Agriculture, Ressources Naturelles et Environnement du Service Public de Wallonie
- Fonds pour la Formation à la Recherche dans l’Industrie et dans l’Agriculture