Modulation of α-Mannosidase 8 by Antarctic Endophytic Fungi in Strawberry Plants Under Heat Waves and Water Deficit Stress

Plant-microbe interactions exert a significant influence on host stress responses; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying these effects remain inadequately understood. In this study, we characterize FaMAN8, an α-mannosidase from <i>Fragaria × ananassa</i>, to explore its role in adaptation to heat waves and water deficit, as well as its modulation by fungal endophytes. Transcriptomic analysis identified <i>FaMAN8</i> as the sole α-mannosidase isoform highly conserved across reported sequences, with root-specific induction under conditions of heat stress, deficient irrigation, and endophytic colonization. Structural modeling revealed that FaMAN8 exhibits the canonical domain organization of glycoside hydrolase family 38 (GH38) enzymes, featuring a conserved catalytic architecture and metal-binding site. Molecular docking and dynamics simulations with the Man₃GlcNAc₂ ligand indicated a stable binding pocket involving key catalytic residues and strong electrostatic complementarity. MM-GBSA and free energy landscape analyses further supported the thermodynamic stability of the protein-ligand complex. Cavity analysis revealed a larger active site in FaMAN8 compared to its homolog JbMAN, suggesting broader substrate accommodation. Collectively, these findings identify FaMAN8 as a stress-responsive glycosidase potentially involved in glycan remodeling during beneficial root-fungus interactions. This work provides molecular insights into plant-microbe symbiosis and lays the groundwork for microbiome-informed strategies to enhance crop stress resilience.