Effect of Fusarium sp. strain K-23-infection on the gene expression in Arabidopsis thaliana plants under control and salt stress conditions
Several fungi have been reported to form intimate bonds with plants. These close mutual relationships can provide physiological benefits to the interacting organisms, including the improvement of nutrient assimilation or enhanced stress tolerance. The root-colonizing fungus Fusarium sp. strain K-23 is known to successfully colonize tomato roots. Previous studies highlighted the promotion of plant biomass production and stress tolerance of tomato plants infected with the K-23. However, up to data, nothing is known about the effect of this fungus on the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. We here report the comparative analysis of the effect of mock- and K-23-infected wild-type Arabidopsis plants (Col-0) in the abscence and presence of moderate salt stress conditions (50 mM NaCl). Our data provide evidence for a profound effect of K-23 on root hair elongation through the activation of a regulatory network that includes several plant hormones. Intriguingly, the fungus suppresses gibberellic acid biosynthesis which, in turn, promotes root hair elongation. Overall design: To investigate differential gene expression in mock- (M) and Fusarium sp. strain K-23-infected (F) Arabidopsis wild-type plants (Col-0) under control (0) and salt stress (50) conditions (50 mM NaCl) in shoots (S) and roots (R).