Home • Tuber aestivum var. urcinatum v1.0

Within the framework of the Mycorrhizal Genomics Initiative (MGI), we are sequencing a phylogenetically and ecologically diverse suite of mycorrhizal fungi, which include the major clades of symbiotic species associating with plants. Analyses of these genomes will provide insights into the diversity of mechanisms for the mycorrhizal symbiosis, including arbuscular, ericoid-, orchid- and ectomycorrhizal associations.

 

The Burgundy Truffle Tuber aestivum (var uncinatum)

Tuber aestivum (Vittadini 1831) is an ectomycorrhizal fungus that establishes a symbiosis with various host tree species, such as oak, beech, and hazel. Interestingly, it has also been recorded in orchid roots where it forms endomycorrhizae with typical morphology. Tuber aestivum, also known as Burgundy truffle, summer truffle, or scorzone, produces edible fruiting bodies. This truffle is widespread and is found from Morocco to Sweden in the north and from Ireland to Kazakhstan.

The genome of T. aestivum (var uncinatum) was sequenced in the frame of the TuberEvol project at Génoscope (Evry, France). Comparison of the genome of T. aestivum with those of the ectomycorrhizal Black truffle of Perigord (T. melanosporum), white Piedmont truffle (T. magnatum), and Choiromyces venosus, the endomycorrhizal Terfezia boudieri, and the saprotrophic Ascobolus immersus, Morchella conica, and Pyronema confluens, will provide new insight into the evolution of the symbiotic lifestyle amongst the Pezizomycetes, an early-diverging lineage of filamentous ascomycetes. The genome sequence of T. aestivum will also provide new opportunities for studies on the developmental mechanisms involved in the development of hypogeous fruiting bodies.

The MGI is a large collaborative effort led by Francis Martin (INRA) aiming for master publication(s) describing the evolution of the mycorrhizal symbioses. Researchers who wish to publish analyses using data from unpublished MGI genomes are respectfully required to contact the PIs and JGI to avoid potential conflicts on data use and coordinate other publications with the MGI master paper(s).

Genome Reference(s)