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Short communication phosphate supply and arsenate toxicity in ectomycorrhizal fungi

Serena H Chen1, Mark Tibbett

  • 1Centre for Land Rehabilitation, School of Earth and Geographical Science (M087), Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia.

Journal of Basic Microbiology
|July 25, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Phosphate (PO4(3-)) can alleviate arsenate (AsO4(3-)) toxicity in some ectomycorrhizal fungi. However, tolerance varies by species, with some fungi showing enhanced growth in the presence of arsenate when phosphate levels are high.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Environmental Science
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Ectomycorrhizal fungi play crucial roles in nutrient cycling and plant health.
  • Arsenate (AsO4(3-)) is an environmental contaminant that can be toxic to soil organisms.
  • Phosphate (PO4(3-)) and arsenate share similarities in chemical structure, suggesting potential interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of arsenate (AsO4(3-)) on the growth of three ectomycorrhizal fungi species.
  • To determine the role of phosphate (PO4(3-)) concentration in mitigating arsenate (AsO4(3-)) toxicity.
  • To compare the responses of different fungal species (basidiomycetes vs. ascomycetes) to arsenate exposure.

Main Methods:

  • Axenic culture of Hebeloma crustuliniforme, Suillus variegatus, and Cenococcum geophilum.
  • Controlled exposure to varying concentrations of arsenate (AsO4(3-)).
  • Manipulation of three different phosphate (PO4(3-)) regimes.

Main Results:

  • Fungal growth responses to arsenate (AsO4(3-)) were species-specific and influenced by phosphate (PO4(3-)) levels.
  • Suillus variegatus exhibited high sensitivity to arsenate (AsO4(3-)), with growth inhibition at lower phosphate (PO4(3-)) concentrations.
  • Hebeloma crustuliniforme also showed sensitivity, but higher phosphate (PO4(3-)) ameliorated arsenate (AsO4(3-)) toxicity.
  • Cenococcum geophilum (ascomycete) demonstrated tolerance to arsenate (AsO4(3-)), unaffected by phosphate (PO4(3-)) levels.

Conclusions:

  • Phosphate (PO4(3-)) can alleviate arsenate (AsO4(3-)) toxicity in certain ectomycorrhizal fungi, particularly basidiomycetes.
  • Species-specific tolerance mechanisms exist for arsenate (AsO4(3-)) in ectomycorrhizal fungi.
  • The interaction between phosphate (PO4(3-)) and arsenate (AsO4(3-)) is critical for understanding fungal responses in contaminated environments.

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