Biomaterial Database

Mechanisms underlying beneficial plant-fungus interactions in mycorrhizal symbiosis. 2010

Paola Bonfante, and Andrea Genre

Department of Plant Biology, University of Torino and IPP-CNR, Viale P.A. Mattioli 25, Torino 10125, Italy. p.bonfante@ipp.cnr.it

Mycorrhizal fungi are a heterogeneous group of diverse fungal taxa, associated with the roots of over 90% of all plant species. Recently, state-of-the-art molecular and genetic tools, coupled to high-throughput sequencing and advanced microscopy, have led to the genome and transcriptome analysis of several symbionts. Signalling pathways between plants and fungi have now been described and the identification of several novel nutrient transporters has revealed some of the cellular processes that underlie symbiosis. Thus, the contributions of each partner in a mycorrhizal association are starting to be unravelled. This new knowledge is now available for use in agricultural practices.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D010944	Plants	Multicellular, eukaryotic life forms of kingdom Plantae. Plants acquired chloroplasts by direct endosymbiosis of CYANOBACTERIA. They are characterized by a mainly photosynthetic mode of nutrition; essentially unlimited growth at localized regions of cell divisions (MERISTEMS); cellulose within cells providing rigidity; the absence of organs of locomotion; absence of nervous and sensory systems; and an alternation of haploid and diploid generations. It is a non-taxonomical term most often referring to LAND PLANTS. In broad sense it includes RHODOPHYTA and GLAUCOPHYTA along with VIRIDIPLANTAE.	Plant
D013559	Symbiosis	The relationship between two different species of organisms that are interdependent; each gains benefits from the other or a relationship between different species where both of the organisms in question benefit from the presence of the other.	Endosymbiosis,Commensalism,Mutualism
D038821	Mycorrhizae	Symbiotic combination (dual organism) of the MYCELIUM of FUNGI with the roots of plants (PLANT ROOTS). The roots of almost all higher plants exhibit this mutually beneficial relationship, whereby the fungus supplies water and mineral salts to the plant, and the plant supplies CARBOHYDRATES to the fungus. There are two major types of mycorrhizae: ectomycorrhizae and endomycorrhizae.	Arbuscular Mycorrhizae,Ectomycorrhizae,Endomycorrhizae,Mycorrhizae, Arbuscular,Mycorrhizae, Vesicular-Arbuscular,Vesicular-Arbuscular Mycorrhizae,Mycorrhiza,Mycorrhizae, Vesicular Arbuscular,Mycorrhizas,Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhizae