Arabidopsis-endophyte interactions

Although pathogenesis is often a major focus of research in host-microbe interaction, this interaction in nature occurs as a continuum between symbiosis, commensalisms, and pathogenicity.

 

Commensalisms can be viewed as potential outcomes of a dynamic co-evolution between the host and the pathogens, which have evolved towards attenuation of virulence and peaceful coexistence. Intriguing examples include an intimate relationship between animal intestine and the bacterium Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron. In this interaction the host glycoconjugants in the gut mucosa serve both as a signal and food for the commensal bacteria and the bacteria in return influence the host’s expression of the glycoconjugants and a number of other genes.

 

It is now clear that plants are also colonized by commensal bacteria known as “endophytes”. They are regular residents inside plant tissues, inhabiting the intercellular space in direct contact with the wall polysaccharides. The bacteria do not cause obvious harm, and, in some cases, are believed to exert beneficial effects on the host.

 

We want to understand whether and how the host glycoconjugants influence the survival of endophytes inside the host, and to gain new insights into the molecular basis of survival strategies of the endophytes and the host in the peaceful coexistence.

 

Collaborator:

Dr. Roberto Kolter (Harvard Medical School, USA)