title: Volatile signalling by sesquiterpenes from ectomycorrhizal fungi reprogrammes root architecture.
abstract: The mutualistic association of roots with ectomycorrhizal fungi promotes plant health and is a hallmark of boreal and temperate forests worldwide. In the pre-colonization phase, before direct contact, lateral root (LR) production is massively stimulated, yet little is known about the signals exchanged during this step. Here, we identify sesquiterpenes (SQTs) as biologically active agents emitted by Laccaria bicolor while interacting with Populus or Arabidopsis. We show that inhibition of fungal SQT production by lovastatin strongly reduces LR proliferation and that (-)-thujopsene, a low-abundance SQT, is sufficient to stimulate LR formation in the absence of the fungus. Further, we show that the ectomycorrhizal ascomycote, Cenococcum geophilum, which cannot synthesize SQTs, does not promote LRs. We propose that the LR-promoting SQT signal creates a win-win situation by enhancing the root surface area for plant nutrient uptake and by improving fungal access to plant-derived carbon via root exudates.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biology II, Faculty of Biology, Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg, Schänzlestrasse 1, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Franck A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Ditengou
authors.affiliation: Forest Botany and Tree Physiology, Georg-August Universität Göttingen, Büsgenweg 2, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Müller
authors.affiliation: Research Unit Environmental Simulation, Institute of Biochemical Plant Pathology, Helmholtz Zentrum München-German Research Center for Environmental Health (GmbH), Ingolstädter Landstrasse 1, D-85764 Neuherberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Maaria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rosenkranz
authors.affiliation: Umeå Plant Science Center, Department for Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-901 83 Umeå, Sweden.
authors.forename: Judith
authors.identifier: 000000020444822X
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Felten
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biology II, Faculty of Biology, Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg, Schänzlestrasse 1, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Hanna
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lasok
authors.affiliation: Research Unit Environmental Simulation, Institute of Biochemical Plant Pathology, Helmholtz Zentrum München-German Research Center for Environmental Health (GmbH), Ingolstädter Landstrasse 1, D-85764 Neuherberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Maja Miloradovic
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: van Doorn
authors.affiliation: INRA and Lorraine University, UMR 1136, Interactions Arbres/Micro-organismes, Centre INRA de Nancy, 54280 Champenoux, France.
authors.forename: Valerie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Legué
authors.affiliation: 1] Institute of Biology II, Faculty of Biology, Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg, Schänzlestrasse 1, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany [2] BIOSS Centre of Biological Systems Analysis, Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg, Habsburgerstrasse 49, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany [3] Freiburg Institute of Advanced Sciences (FRIAS), Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg, Albertstrasse 19, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany [4] Centre for Biological Signalling Studies (BIOSS), Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg, Schänzlestrasse 18, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Palme
authors.affiliation: Research Unit Environmental Simulation, Institute of Biochemical Plant Pathology, Helmholtz Zentrum München-German Research Center for Environmental Health (GmbH), Ingolstädter Landstrasse 1, D-85764 Neuherberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Jörg-Peter
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Schnitzler
authors.affiliation: Forest Botany and Tree Physiology, Georg-August Universität Göttingen, Büsgenweg 2, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Polle
mesh_terms: D017360:Arabidopsis; D001203:Ascomycota; D007210:Indoleacetic Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D055399:Laccaria / Q000502:physiology*; D038821:Mycorrhizae / Q000502:physiology*; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D032107:Populus / Q000254:growth & development*; D012717:Sesquiterpenes; D013481:Superoxides / Q000378:metabolism; D013559:Symbiosis; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds
chemical_list: D007210:Indoleacetic Acids; D012717:Sesquiterpenes; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds; D013481:Superoxides