The Genetics of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi

丛枝菌根真菌的遗传学

• 批准号: RGPIN-2020-05643
• 负责人: Corradi, Nicolas
• 金额: $ 4.74万
• 依托单位: University of Ottawa
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2022
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2022-01-01 至 2023-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=745562
• 关键词: Genetics; Arbuscular; Mycorrhizal; Fungi

Bio-fertilizers are an eco-friendly, sustainable way to boost plant yields. This has attracted considerable attention from biotech companies towards particularly the Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF); a group of multinucleated and seemingly asexual fungi that form beneficial associations with the roots of most plants. In the past 6 years my research used cutting edge-single nucleus sequencing and comparative genomics to understand the genetics of AMF. We demonstrated that some AMF strains, which we refer to as AM dikaryons, carry thousands of nuclei that are copies of two parental genotypes in one large cell. Each nucleus harbors a mating-type locus similar to those that dictate sexual identity in other fungi, indicating that AMF can undergo sexual reproduction. We now aim to use this biological information to enhance the environmental application of these fungi. To achieve this, however, key questions related to origin and function of AM dikaryons and their genomes remain to be understood. The long-term goal of my research program is to elucidate the forces driving nuclear diversity and genome evolution in AMF. My lab will work towards this goal by focusing on three related objectives: (1) To investigate the impact of AM dikaryosis on the biology of the fungal and plant partners. We will perform transcriptomics and phenotype analyses to identify how two co-existing nuclear genotypes contribute to the symbiotic potential of AM dikaryons across life-stages and plant hosts. (2) To identify the origin and evolution of the two nuclear genotypes that co-exist in AM dikaryons. We will obtain and compare high-quality genome data from AM dikaryons, AM homokaryons and individual nuclei isolated from dikaryotic strains using long-read sequencing. This data will allow us to identify the evolutionary origins of AM dikaryons, compare their mode of evolution with those of homokaryotic relatives, and comprehend how nuclei co-evolve within the dikaryotic mycelium. (3) To identify the genetic determinants that trigger nuclear exchange in AMF. We will use proteomics and microscopy approaches to determine what triggers AMF strains to cross (mate) and will aim to use this information to generate genetically new strains. The data generated in this program will help elucidate the mechanisms that generate genetic and genomic diversity in these organisms, thereby contributing to their environmental application and to our understanding of complex genetic systems. Through the proposed research, HQP will gain experience with cutting edge methods (single-cell/nucleus analyses), best in class sequencing tools (MinION, 10X Chromium) and programming skills (Python, Perl), and with proteomics and microscopy approaches. My program will also actively involve trainees in outreach activities, including some that address barriers to EDI. With this highly complementary skillset, HQP will continue to move on to impactful positions in industry, government and academia.

生物肥料是一种提高植物产量的环保、可持续的方法，这引起了生物技术公司的极大关注，尤其是丛枝菌根真菌（AMF）；它们是一组多核、看似无性的真菌，它们与植物的根部形成有益的联系。在过去的 6 年里，我的研究使用了尖端的单核测序和比较基因组学来了解 AMF 的遗传学，我们证明了一些 AMF 菌株，我们将其称为 AM。双核体在一个大细胞中携带着数千个细胞核，这些细胞核是两种亲本基因型的副本。每个细胞核都含有一个与其他真菌中决定性身份的基因座类似的交配型基因座，这表明我们现在的目标是利用 AMF 进行有性繁殖。然而，为了实现这一目标，与 AM 双核体及其基因组的起源和功能相关的关键问题仍有待了解。我的研究计划的长期目标是阐明。我的实验室将通过关注三个相关目标来实现这一目标：（1）研究 AM 双核现象对真菌和植物伙伴生物学的影响。 (2) 鉴定AM双核体中共存的两种核基因型的起源和进化。将使用长读长测序从 AM 双核体、AM 同核体和从双核菌株中分离的单个核获得并比较高质量的基因组数据。这些数据将使我们能够识别 AM 双核体的进化起源，将其进化模式与 AM 双核体的进化模式进行比较。同核亲缘关系，并了解细胞核如何在双核菌丝体中共同进化 (3) 识别触发 AMF 中核交换的遗传决定因素。是什么触发了 AMF 菌株杂交（交配），旨在利用这些信息生成新的遗传菌株。该计划中生成的数据将有助于阐明在这些生物体中产生遗传和基因组多样性的机制，从而有助于其环境应用和研究。通过拟议的研究，HQP 将获得尖端方法（单细胞/细胞核分析）、一流测序工具（MinION、10X Chromium）和编程技能（Python、 Perl），以及蛋白质组学和显微镜方法，我的计划还将积极让学员参与外展活动，包括一些解决 EDI 障碍的活动，凭借这种高度互补的技能，HQP 将继续在行业、政府和学术界担任有影响力的职位。 。