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Mildew Locus O facilitates colonization by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in angiosperms

Catherine N Jacott1, Myriam Charpentier2, Jeremy D Murray2,3

  • 1Crop Genetics Department, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7UH, UK.

The New Phytologist
|February 4, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Mildew Resistance Locus O (MLO) proteins are crucial for beneficial arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus colonization in plants like barley and wheat. Loss of MLO function impairs symbiotic interactions, suggesting a dual role in plant defense and symbiosis.

Area of Science:

  • Plant Biology
  • Mycology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Mildew Resistance Locus O (MLO) loss confers resistance to powdery mildew in barley.
  • MLO expression is elevated in mycorrhizal roots, suggesting a role in symbiotic interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Investigate the role of MLO in arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis.
  • Determine if MLO is involved in colonization by Rhizophagus irregularis.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized mlo mutants of barley (Hordeum vulgare), wheat (Triticum aestivum), and Medicago truncatula.
  • Assessed early mycorrhizal colonization by Rhizophagus irregularis.
  • Analyzed the expression of key genes involved in AM fungal accommodation.

Main Results:

  • Mycorrhizal colonization was reduced in mlo mutants across all tested species.
  • A significant decrease in the expression of genes for intracellular AM fungus accommodation was observed.
  • Clade IV MLOs are implicated in establishing symbiotic associations with beneficial fungi.

Conclusions:

  • Clade IV MLO proteins play a role in the establishment of arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis.
  • The function of MLO in symbiosis appears to have been co-opted by the powdery mildew pathogen.
Keywords:
Medicago truncatulaMildew Resistance Locus O (MLO)arbuscular mycorrhizal fungibarleypowdery mildew

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