Understanding how plants and fungi collaborate to exchange nutrients can lead to more sustainable agriculture.
Scientists have uncovered the mechanism behind how plants activate genes necessary for a symbiotic relationship with soil fungi, called arbuscular mycorrhiza. This partnership allows plants to better absorb nutrients, especially phosphorus, from the soil, while the fungi receive energy-rich lipids from the plants. This symbiosis is crucial because it helps over 80% of land plants thrive.
The key to this exchange lies in structures called arbuscules, where plants and fungi swap nutrients. The protein RAM1, a transcription factor (a protein that turns genes on), is vital for arbuscule development and nutrient exchange. However, it was previously unknown how RAM1 regulated gene expression, as it cannot directly bind to DNA.
Researchers discovered that RAM1 forms complexes with WRI transcription factors, which *can* bind to DNA. This interaction allows RAM1 to control the activation of genes essential for nutrient exchange during arbuscule formation. According to Caroline Gutjahr, "Our work offers a detailed view into the molecular control system that governs one of nature's most beneficial partnerships."
This discovery has significant implications for sustainable agriculture. By understanding how these gene networks are coordinated, scientists can potentially breed or engineer crops that are better at forming symbiotic relationships with fungi. This could lead to reduced reliance on chemical fertilizers, which are harmful to the environment.