Exploring the Symbiotic Mechanism of a Virus-Mediated Endophytic Fungus in Its Host by Dual Unique Molecular Identifier–RNA Sequencing

Abstract

Although endophytes are widespread in nature, the interactions between endophytes and their hosts are still not fully understood. Members of a unique class of endophytes, the virus-mediated endophytic fungi, are continuously being discovered and have received wide attention. In this study, we investigated the interaction between a mycovirus-mediated endophytic fungus and its host rapeseed by using dual-UMI RNA-seq.

Transcriptional alterations of peanut root during interaction with growth-promoting Tsukamurella tyrosinosolvens strain P9

“…The high pectin polysaccharide content and strong plasticity of plant cells plays an important role in their morphogenesis [ 27 ]. PE , PL , and PG can promote the loosening of cell walls, a phenomenon related to cell wall extension and stem elongation [ 28 , 29 ]. The PL gene of Arabidopsis may be involved in cell elongation and lateral root formation [ 30 ].…”

The schizotrophic lifestyle of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum

“…Therefore, strain DT‐8 can increase rapeseed resistance to pathogen infections and stimulate rapeseed growth, which could be related directly or indirectly to the rapeseed microbiome. As a reward, rapeseed can provide a safer habitat for S. sclerotiorum strains infected by SsHADV‐1 and strain DT‐8 might use plant starch as a nutrient during symbiosis with rapeseed (Qu, Zhang, et al., 2021 ). The expression of virulence‐associated genes was downregulated during infection with the DT‐8 strain, which may contribute to minimizing damage to the host when the DT‐8 strain acquires nutrients from rapeseed (Qu, Fu, et al., 2021 ; Qu, Zhang, et al., 2021 ).…”

“…As a reward, rapeseed can provide a safer habitat for S. sclerotiorum strains infected by SsHADV‐1 and strain DT‐8 might use plant starch as a nutrient during symbiosis with rapeseed (Qu, Zhang, et al., 2021 ). The expression of virulence‐associated genes was downregulated during infection with the DT‐8 strain, which may contribute to minimizing damage to the host when the DT‐8 strain acquires nutrients from rapeseed (Qu, Fu, et al., 2021 ; Qu, Zhang, et al., 2021 ). Defence‐related substances such as ROS, phenylpropanoids and brassinin were activated by DT‐8, which precisely controls its excessive reproduction.…”

“…Defence‐related substances such as ROS, phenylpropanoids and brassinin were activated by DT‐8, which precisely controls its excessive reproduction. Conversely, strain DT‐8 suppressed plant resistance by moderately producing effector‐like proteins, detoxification enzymes and antioxidant components, and also induced rapeseed to upregulate pectate lyase and pectinesterase genes, which facilitate colonization of strain DT‐8 (Qu, Zhang, et al., 2021 ). Taken together, these findings indicate that the endophytic stage of S. sclerotiorum in rapeseed involves a finely tuned and multifaceted regulatory mechanism.…”

Characterization of a novel botybirnavirus with a unique dsRNA infectingDidymella theifoliafrom tea plants

“…Based on the nature and function of nucleic acids, mycoviruses have been taxonomically grouped into 21 families and some unclassified taxa (7,8) by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Virus (ICTV, https://talk.ictvonline.org/taxonomy/), including nine with positive-sense single-stranded RNA (+ssRNA) (Alphaflexiviridae, Barnaviridae, Botourmiaviridae, Deltafleiviridae, Endornaviridae Gammaflexiviridae, Hypoviridae, Mitoviridae, and Narnaviridae) (9), six (Chrysoviridae, Partitiviridae, Quadriviridae, Reoviridae, Totiviridae, and Megabirnaviridae) with double-stranded (dsRNA) genomes (10), one with negative-sense ssRNA (-ssRNA; Mymonaviridae) (7), one with ssDNA (Genomoviridae) (11). Many of these mycoviruses parasite their host fungi in a latent manner, while some can dramatically attenuate the virulence of host fungi, even change their lifestyle from a pathogen into an endophyte, and are candidates as biocontrol agents against fungal diseases (11)(12)(13)(14), exemplified by successful control of chestnut blight by Cryphonectria hypovirus 1 (CHV1) in Europe (6).…”