Molecular dialogues between Trichoderma and roots: Role of the fungal secretome

Publication date: March 2018Source: Fungal Biology Reviews, Volume 32, Issue 2Author(s): Artemio Mendoza-Mendoza, Rinat Zaid, Robert Lawry, Rosa Hermosa, Enrique Monte, Benjamin A. Horwitz, Prasun K. MukherjeeAbstractTrichoderma species are opportunistic fungi residing primarily in soil, tree bark and on wild mushrooms. Trichoderma is capable of killing other fungi and penetrating plant roots, and is commonly used as both a biofungicide and inducer of plant defence against pathogens. These fungi also exert other beneficial effects on plants including growth promotion and tolerance to abiotic stresses, primarily mediated by their intimate interactions with roots. In root–microbe interactions (both beneficial and harmful), fungal secreted proteins play a crucial role in establishing contact with the roots, fungal attachment, root penetration and triggering of plant responses. In Trichoderma–root interactions, the sucrose present in root exudates has been demonstrated to be important in fungal attraction. Attachment to roots is mediated by hydrophobin-like proteins, and secreted swollenins and plant cell wall degrading enzymes facilitate internalization of the fungal hyphae. During the early stage of penetration, suppression of plant defence is vital to successful initial root colonisation; this is mediated by small soluble cysteine-rich secreted proteins (effector-like proteins). Up to this stage, Trichoderma's behaviour is similar to that of a plant pathogen invading root ...

Source: Fungal Biology Reviews - July 5, 2018 Category: Biology Source Type: research