Researchers have unlocked the secrets of communication between plants and fungi in a recent study. By utilizing baker’s yeast, the team discovered that the plant hormone strigolactone (SL) triggers fungal genes and proteins related to phosphate metabolism, a crucial process for growth. This revelation about how fungi interpret chemical signals on a molecular level may pave the way for innovative techniques to grow more resilient crops and fight against harmful fungi.
A team from the University of Toronto has successfully deciphered the communication between plants and fungi, as detailed in a study published in the journal Molecular Cell.
Researchers utilized baker’s yeast and found that the plant hormone strigolactone (SL) activates specific fungal genes and proteins associated with phosphate metabolism, which is vital for growth.
This understanding of how fungi react to chemical signals at the molecular level may lead to new methods for developing stronger crops and tackling pathogenic fungi.
“By exploring how plants and fungi interact, we can gain a deeper insight into the intricate nature of the soil ecosystem, which may lead to healthier crops and enhanced biodiversity,” states Shelley Lumba, the lead author and assistant professor in the department of cell and systems biology at the University of Toronto.
In their natural habitat, plant roots communicate with fungi using a subtle molecular “language” that shapes their structure. When plants exude SLs, they signal fungi to connect to their roots, providing phosphates—the essential nutrients for plant growth and a crucial element of most fertilizers—in exchange for carbon.
In this research, Lumba and her colleagues examined the mechanisms behind fungi’s response to SLs. A staggering eighty percent of plants depend on this symbiotic relationship, and improving this interaction with beneficial fungi can result in stronger crops, reduced fertilizer requirements, and less phosphate runoff into water bodies.
Conversely, some harmful fungi can take advantage of these chemical signals to infect crops, potentially destroying whole harvests. Gaining insights into this chemical communication may help in preventing such pathogens.
Scientists have struggled to identify the specific chemicals that attract beneficial fungi or assess the impact of these signals due to the intricate nature of the soil ecosystem. However, Lumba’s team successfully unraveled this mystery using baker’s yeast, a gentler fungus that humans have cultivated for ages. The more manageable nature of modern strains makes them ideal for laboratory work.
The researchers treated yeast with SLs and monitored which genes were activated or deactivated in response. They discovered that this chemical signal heightened the activity of genes marked “PHO,” which are associated with phosphate metabolism. Further investigations revealed that SLs operate through Pho84, a protein on the yeast’s surface that tracks phosphate levels, initiating a series of reactions among other proteins in the phosphate pathway.
The findings indicated that plants secrete SLs when they are low on phosphate, prompting the yeast to adjust its phosphate absorption accordingly.
Additionally, the research showed that the phosphate response to the SL signal is consistent not only in domesticated fungi like baker’s yeast but also in wild varieties, including the harmful wheat pathogen Fusarium graminearum and the helpful symbiotic fungus Serendipita indica.
“The gene expression changes resulting from chemical treatments are critical to our findings—they illuminate the SL response’s impact on fungal growth,” explains Lumba.
Scientists can adopt this straightforward approach to systematically uncover plant-derived small molecules that facilitate communication with fungi. Strengthening interactions with beneficial fungi may lead to advancements in agriculture, while also addressing pollution and food scarcity.
“The potential benefits of this research can significantly enhance many lives,” emphasizes Lumba. “It’s all about nurturing healthy soil for a thriving planet.”
