Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 17, 2026
10:29
Measuring Gene Expression in Bombarded Barley Aleurone Layers with Increased Throughput
Published on: March 30, 2018
A GRAS-type transcription factor with a specific function in mycorrhizal signaling
Enrico Gobbato1, John F Marsh, Tatiana Vernié
1John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7UH, UK.
Current Biology : CB
|November 6, 2012
Summary
Legume symbiosis involves plant recognition of signals from beneficial microbes. A GRAS-domain transcription factor, RAM1, is crucial for mycorrhizal fungi colonization by regulating cutin biosynthesis.
Area of Science:
- Plant-microbe interactions
- Molecular plant pathology
- Symbiotic signaling pathways
Background:
- Legumes form mutualistic symbioses with mycorrhizal fungi and rhizobial bacteria.
- Plant recognition of microbial signals (Nod factor and Myc factor) initiates these symbioses via a common signaling pathway.
- Despite shared signaling, distinct mechanisms ensure specificity in symbiotic outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of GRAS-domain transcription factors in mycorrhizal symbiosis specificity.
- To identify specific signaling components downstream of the common symbiosis pathway for mycorrhizal interactions.
- To elucidate the function of RAM1 in plant-fungal symbiosis.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of RAM1 function in mutant plants.
- Assessment of mycorrhizal colonization and hyphopodia formation.
- Gene expression analysis of RAM1 and downstream targets like RAM2.
Main Results:
- RAM1 is essential for mycorrhizal colonization, with mutants showing defects in hyphopodia formation.
- RAM1 specifically functions in Myc factor signaling, not Nod factor signaling.
- RAM1 regulates RAM2, a glycerol-3-phosphate acyl transferase involved in cutin biosynthesis, promoting fungal entry.
Conclusions:
- Mycorrhizal signaling utilizes specificity mechanisms parallel to nodulation.
- RAM1 acts downstream of the symbiosis signaling pathway to promote mycorrhizal colonization.
- Regulation of cutin biosynthesis by RAM1 is key for successful plant-fungal symbiosis.
More Related Videos
09:31Inducible, Cell Type-Specific Expression in Arabidopsis thaliana Through LhGR-Mediated Trans-Activation
Published on: April 19, 2019
09:25Genome-wide Analysis of Histone Modifications Distribution using the Chromatin Immunoprecipitation Sequencing Method in Magnaporthe oryzae
Published on: June 2, 2021
Related Concept Videos
01:25Cell Signaling in Plants
Plant cells communicate to coordinate their cycle of growth, flowering and fruiting, and activities in roots, shoots, and leaves in response to the changing environmental conditions. Plant signaling is distinct from animal signaling. Plants primarily utilize enzyme-linked receptors, whereas the largest class of cell-surface receptors in animals are G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs). Unlike animals, receptor tyrosine kinases are rare in plants. Instead, plants have a diverse class of...
02:23Master Transcription Regulators
Master transcription regulators are regulatory proteins that are predominantly responsible for regulating the expression of multiple genes. Often these genes work in concert to drive a complex process. Activation of a master transcription regulator can lead to a cascade of transcriptional activation necessary for that outcome. These regulators can directly bind to the regulatory sequences of the various genes involved, or they can indirectly regulate transcription by binding to regulatory...
02:23Master Transcription Regulators
Master transcription regulators are regulatory proteins that are predominantly responsible for regulating the expression of multiple genes. Often these genes work in concert to drive a complex process. Activation of a master transcription regulator can lead to a cascade of transcriptional activation necessary for that outcome. These regulators can directly bind to the regulatory sequences of the various genes involved, or they can indirectly regulate transcription by binding to regulatory...
01:16TGF - β Signaling Pathway
The TGF-β signaling pathway regulates cell growth, differentiation, adhesion, motility, and development. TGF-β ligands that induce TGF-β signaling are synthesized in their latent form. Several proteases or cell surface receptors such as integrins act upon the latent form, releasing the active ligand. There are three types of mammalian TGF-βs: (TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3) that bind as homodimers or heterodimers to TGF-β receptors. The TGF-β receptors are of three kinds RI, RII, and RIII. The RI...
01:17Gene Regulation During Sporulation
Sporulation is a complex developmental process that allows certain Gram-positive bacteria, such as Bacillus subtilis and Clostridium species, to survive extreme environmental conditions. This process is tightly regulated by a series of signaling cascades and transcriptional controls, ensuring the formation of a highly resistant endospore.Sporulation is triggered by unfavorable conditions, such as nutrient depletion, and is governed by a phosphorelay system. One of the sensor kinases, such as...
01:30General Transcription Factors
Tissue-specific transcription factors contribute to diverse cellular functions in mammals. For example, the gene for beta globin, a major component of hemoglobin, is present in all cells of the body. However, it is only expressed in red blood cells because the transcription factors that can bind to the promoter sequences of the beta globin gene are only expressed in these cells. Tissue-specific transcription factors also ensure that mutations in these factors may impair only the function of...