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Investigation of Plant Interactions Across Common Mycorrhizal Networks Using Rotated Cores
Published on: March 26, 2019
Functional Overview of Plant Genes Essential for Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Symbiosis
Shang Wang1, Jiali Yi1, Zheyu Li1
1College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China.
Abstract:
Since the first plant gene essential for arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis was identified, more than 170 such genes have been discovered. However, these findings remain scattered across species, and a systematic synthesis is urgently needed to guide future functional studies and breeding applications. This review provides a systematic classification and contextual overview of the currently reported plant genes essential for AM symbiosis, covering leguminous species (e.g., Medicago truncatula, Lotus japonicus) and non-leguminous species (e.g., Oryza sativa, Solanum lycopersicum). We classify these genes into functional modules corresponding to key stages of AM symbiosis: SL-mediated pre-symbiotic signaling, chitin signal perception, activation of the common symbiosis signaling pathway (CSSP), calcium (Ca2+) oscillation generation, arbuscule development and maintenance, and nutrient exchange. Beyond classification, we highlight conserved genetic modules across plant lineages and discuss their implications for engineering AM symbiosis in non-host or poorly symbiotic crops. This synthesis establishes a foundational genetic resource for molecular breeding aimed at enhancing nutrient-use efficiency and sustainable crop production.
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