Within the framework of the Mycorrhizal Genomics Initiative
(MGI) and the 1000 Fungal Genomes (1KFG) project, we are aiming to
explore the interaction of forest trees with communities of soil
fungi, including ectomycorrhizal symbionts that dramatically affect
tree growth, and saprotrophic soil fungi impacting carbon
sequestration in forests. We are sequencing the genome of the most
abundant fungal species harvested on studied long-term
observatories to provide sufficient taxonomic coverage of fungal
genomes to identify and analyze DNA and RNA samples sequenced from
environmental samples.
Acephala macrosclerotiorum
The dark septate (DS) ascomycete Acephala
macrosclerotiorum formed ectomycorrhizas on Pinus
sylvestris (= mycorrhizal morphotype Pinirhiza
sclerotia) (Münzenberger et al., 2009). This
close relative of Phialocephala fortinii s.l. evolved the
ability of establishing the ectomycorrhizal symbiosis very
recently, probably within 1 to10 million years. DS fungi such as
P. fortinii are thought to vary from mutualistic to
neutral and parasitic, but their ecological functions are little
understood. It is possible that the ectomycorrhizal A.
macrosclerotiorum has retained a large set of genes required
for saprotrophic nutrition. This is therefore a suitable model
organism to study the evolution of mycorrhizal symbiosis from
recent non-mycorrhizal ancestors. Other benefits of sequencing the
genome of this species include its rapid growth in culture, rapid
formation of ectomycorrhiza in aseptic synthesis trials, ongoing
work on nutrition and host range of this fungus and its abundance
in several forest ecosystems. Interestingly, A.
macrosclerotiorum produces sclerotia breaking through the
ectomycorrhizal mantle at maturity and then released into the
soil.
The 'Metatranscriptomics of Forest Soil Ecosystems' and
the 1KFG projects are large collaborative efforts aiming for master
publication(s). As always, please contact the PI associated with
unpublished MGI and 1KFG genomes for permission prior to the use of
any data in publications. Contact for A.
macrosclerotiorum: Francis Martin (INRA).
Genome Reference(s)
Miyauchi S, Kiss E, Kuo A, Drula E, Kohler A, Sánchez-GarcÃa M, Morin E, Andreopoulos B, Barry KW, Bonito G, Buée M, Carver A, Chen C, Cichocki N, Clum A, Culley D, Crous PW, Fauchery L, Girlanda M, Hayes RD, Kéri Z, LaButti K, Lipzen A, Lombard V, Magnuson J, Maillard F, Murat C, Nolan M, Ohm RA, Pangilinan J, Pereira MF, Perotto S, Peter M, Pfister S, Riley R, Sitrit Y, Stielow JB, SzöllÅ‘si G, ŽifÄáková L, Å tursová M, Spatafora JW, Tedersoo L, Vaario LM, Yamada A, Yan M, Wang P, Xu J, Bruns T, Baldrian P, Vilgalys R, Dunand C, Henrissat B, Grigoriev IV, Hibbett D, Nagy LG, Martin FM
Large-scale genome sequencing of mycorrhizal fungi provides insights into the early evolution of symbiotic traits.
Nat Commun. 2020 Oct 12;11(1):5125. doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-18795-w
Münzenberger et al. (2009) The ectomycorrhizal morphotype Pinirhiza sclerotia is formed by Acephala macrosclerotiorum sp. nov., a close relative of Phialocephala fortinii. Mycorrhiza 19: 481-492.
