Genome-wide reprogramming of regulatory networks, transport, cell wall and membrane biogenesis during arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis in Lotus japonicus

Arbuscular mycorrhizas (AMs) contribute significantly to soil nutrient uptake in plants. As a consequence of the fungal colonization and of the deep reorganization shown by arbusculated cells, important impacts on root transcriptome are expected. An Affymetrix GeneChip with 50 000 probe-sets and real-time RT-PCR allowed us to detect transcriptional changes triggered in Lotus japonicus by the AM fungus Gigaspora margarita, when arbuscules are at their maximum (28 d postinoculation (dpi)). An early time (4 dpi) was selected to differentiate genes potentially involved in signaling and/or in colonization of outer tissues. A large number (75 out of 558) of mycorrhiza-induced genes code for proteins involved in protein turnover, membrane dynamics and cell wall synthesis, while many others are involved in transport (47) or transcription (24). Induction of a subset (24 genes) of these was tested and confirmed by qRT-PCR, and transcript location in arbusculated cells was demonstrated for seven genes using laser-dissected cells. When compared with previously published papers, the transcript profiles indicate the presence of a core set of responsive genes (25) that seem to be conserved irrespective of the symbiotic partner identity. New Phytologist (2009) 182: 200-212doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8137.2008.02725.x.