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High intraspecific genome diversity in the model arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiont Rhizophagus irregularis
Author(s) -
Chen Eric C. H.,
Morin Emmanuelle,
Beaudet Denis,
Noel Jessica,
Yildirir Gokalp,
Ndikumana Steve,
Charron Philippe,
StOnge Camille,
Giorgi John,
Krüger Manuela,
Marton Timea,
Ropars Jeanne,
Grigoriev Igor V.,
Hainaut Matthieu,
Henrissat Bernard,
Roux Christophe,
Martin Francis,
Corradi Nicolas
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
new phytologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.742
H-Index - 244
eISSN - 1469-8137
pISSN - 0028-646X
DOI - 10.1111/nph.14989
Subject(s) - rhizophagus irregularis , biology , intraspecific competition , arbuscular mycorrhizal , symbiosis , genome , glomeromycota , arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi , evolutionary biology , botany , gene , ecology , genetics , bacteria , immunology , inoculation
Summary Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi ( AMF ) are known to improve plant fitness through the establishment of mycorrhizal symbioses. Genetic and phenotypic variations among closely related AMF isolates can significantly affect plant growth, but the genomic changes underlying this variability are unclear. To address this issue, we improved the genome assembly and gene annotation of the model strain Rhizophagus irregularis DAOM 197198, and compared its gene content with five isolates of R . irregularis sampled in the same field. All isolates harbor striking genome variations, with large numbers of isolate‐specific genes, gene family expansions, and evidence of interisolate genetic exchange. The observed variability affects all gene ontology terms and PFAM protein domains, as well as putative mycorrhiza‐induced small secreted effector‐like proteins and other symbiosis differentially expressed genes. High variability is also found in active transposable elements. Overall, these findings indicate a substantial divergence in the functioning capacity of isolates harvested from the same field, and thus their genetic potential for adaptation to biotic and abiotic changes. Our data also provide a first glimpse into the genome diversity that resides within natural populations of these symbionts, and open avenues for future analyses of plant– AMF interactions that link AMF genome variation with plant phenotype and fitness.