Soil fungus genome shows stable structure despite bacterial hitchhikers
Mugambi K, Oliveira J, Magurno F, di Fossalunga AS, Novero M
Mycorrhizal Networks
The fungal networks helping your garden vegetables and backyard trees pull nutrients from soil turn out to run on a genome so stable that even carrying their own internal bacteria barely changes their molecular wiring.
Most plants team up with a soil fungus that acts like an extended root system, fetching nutrients in exchange for sugars. Researchers fully mapped the 3D structure of this fungus's genome, the largest and most complex one known for this group, and found its chromosome organization stays steady whether or not it's hosting a bacterial tenant living inside its cells. That bacterial guest does subtly change which genetic elements get switched on, hinting at a quiet three-way negotiation between fungus, bacteria, and eventually the plant they both depend on.
Key Findings
Assembled a chromosome-scale, 3D genome of Gigaspora margarita: 43 chromosomes spanning 792 Mb, the largest and most repeat-rich AMF genome sequenced to date
A/B chromatin compartments and topologically associating domains are conserved across two distantly related AMF orders and remain stable regardless of endobacterium presence
Found 21 divergent rDNA operons across six chromosomes that physically interact, and showed the endobacterium's tripartite genome encodes prophages, a CRISPR array, and a complete heme biosynthesis pathway that may boost fungal energy metabolism
chevron_right Technical Summary
Scientists mapped the complete 3D genome of a soil fungus that partners with most land plants to help them absorb nutrients, revealing that its chromosome architecture stays remarkably stable even when it hosts its own internal bacterial symbiont.
Abstract Preview
Original paper
The 3D genome of Gigaspora margarita unveils stable chromatin and nucleolar organization and symbiont-dependent genome dynamics.
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are widespread plant symbionts that enhance nutrient acquisition and influence ecosystem productivity. Previous chromosome-level assemblies of the model species R...
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Soil health is the capacity of soil to function as a living ecosystem, supporting complex interactions between microorganisms, soil fauna, and plant communities. For plant science, soil health is critical because these biological and chemical soil properties directly control nutrient availability,
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