Enacting a symbiotic relationship: plant lectin receptor-like kinase, a key player in the ectomycorrhizal association
J. LABBE (1), W. Muchero (2), Y. Yang (2), R. Priya (2), S. Jawdy (2), T. Tschaplinski (2), G. Tuskan (2), J. Chen (2) (1) ORNL/ UT Knoxville, U.S.A.; (2) ORNL, U.S.A.

Several phylogenetic analyses have shown the common evolutionary origins of the plant lectin receptor-like kinases (LRLKs) and the animal interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase/Pelle kinases known with key roles in the pathogen and host-cell signal recognition. In comparison with work on related animal kinases, the elucidation of the role and mechanism of the plant LRLKs is still in its infancy. Here we used genome-wide analysis, genetic mapping and RNAseq approaches in the woody model plant Populus. We shed light on a LRLK causing an increased colonization by the ectomycorrhizal fungus Laccaria bicolor. Heterologous expression in Arabidopsis, a non-host, rendered it susceptible to root colonization. Additional characterizations by molecular biology and metabolomics revealed interesting features in the establishment of the ectomycorrhizal association that will be further discussed. In addition to uncover an initial molecular step in the establishment of beneficial fungal associations, our work provides a platform for engineering mycorrhizal association into non-host plants; mycorrhizal symbioses being the most ecologically widespread mutualistic plant-microbe associations, providing substantial benefits related to enhanced carbon sequestration, remediation of degraded soils, and water and nutrient exchange.

Abstract Number: P2-33
Session Type: Poster