Search for potassium transport systems involved in arbuscular mycorrhiza-rice symbiotic interactions
Résumé
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) develop interdependent connections with roots of about
90% of plant species. These interactions increase availability as well as translocation of
nutrients (especially N and P), and thereby improve plant nutrition and growth. Moreover,
resistance to a variety of stresses, among which salt stress, has been shown to be improved by
AMF-plant interactions, for example in rice. Intense research to explain the molecular
mechanisms of AMF-plant beneficial interactions led to the identification of phosphate and
ammonium transporters involved in nutrient exchanges from AMF to the plant, in several plant
species. In spite of the importance of potassium (K+) for plant physiology, the contribution of
AMF symbiosis to plant K+ nutrition has been little documented. Over-expression of plant K+
transporters has been described in Lotus japonicus and tomato in condition of AMF symbiosis.
Furthermore, K+ transport systems in the AMF Rhizophagus irregularis have been identified in
silico. Here, K+ nutrition in rice colonized by R. irregularis has been analyzed at molecular and
physiological levels. Surprisingly, major K+ transport systems in rice were down-regulated upon
AMF interactions, suggesting strong increase in K+ availability for uptake by root cells in
symbiotic conditions. Role of K+ in the relationships between rice and R. irregularis will also be
discussed