Biology subjects

Frugier, F.

Publications and source records attributed to Frugier, F..

2 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2024

C-terminally encoded peptides promoting root symbiotic nodulation in legume plants also promote the root arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiotic interaction

C-terminally encoded peptides (CEPs) are small secreted signalling peptides that promote in legumes the root nitrogen-fixing nodulation symbiosis depending on soil mineral nitrogen availability1. In Medicago truncatula, their action is mediated by the Leucine-rich repeat receptor-like protein kinase COMPACT ROOT ARCHITECTURE 2 (CRA2)2-4. As most land plants, under inorganic phosphate (Pi) limitation, M. truncatula establishes another root endosymbiotic interaction with arbuscular fungi, the arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis (AMS). Because this interaction is beneficial for the plant but has a high energetic cost, it is tightly controlled by host plants to limit AMS infections mainly depending on Pi availability5. We show in this study that the expression of a subset of CEP encoding genes is enhanced in the low Pi conditions that favour AMS colonization, and that overexpression of the low Pi-induced MtCEP1 gene, previously shown to promote the nitrogen-fixing root nodulation symbiosis, enhances the AMS colonization from the initial entry point of the fungi. Conversely, a loss-of-function mutation of the CRA2 receptor required for mediating CEP peptides action2 decreases the AMS interaction capacity from the same initial fungal entry stage. Transcriptomic analyses revealed that the cra2 mutant is negatively affected in the regulation of key Pi transport and response genes as well as in the biosynthesis of strigolactone (SL) hormones that are required for establishing the AMS interaction. Accordingly, SL contents were drastically decreased in cra2 mutant roots. Overall, we showed that the CEP/CRA2 pathway promotes, in legume plants, both root nodulation and AMS depending on soil mineral nutrients availability. In briefThe establishment and maintenance of root nodule and arbuscular mycorrhizal symbioses (AMS) in legume plants is tightly regulated respectively by nitrogen and phosphate availability. Pedinotti and Teyssendier de la Serve et al. show that the CEP/CRA2 pathway, previously known to promote root competence to nodulate under low nitrogen conditions, also enhances AMS establishment by controlling the expression of Pi homeostasis and strigolactone (SL) hormone biosynthesis genes, as well as SL accumulation. HighlightsO_LIA subset of M. truncatula CEP genes is induced by AMS-promoting low phosphate conditions. C_LIO_LIThe CEP1 peptides positively regulate AMS establishment, while the cra2 CEP receptor loss of function mutants display a reduced AMS colonization. C_LIO_LIThe CEP/CRA2-dependent regulation of AMS acts through downstream signals distinct from the ones involved in root nodule symbiosis regulation. The CEP/CRA2 pathway regulates AMS establishment by controlling Pi homeostasis and strigolactone (SL) hormone biosynthesis genes, as well as SL accumulation. C_LI

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2020

A fast linkage disequilibrium-based statistical test for Genome-Wide Epistatic Selection Scans in structured populations

The quest for genome-wide signatures of selection in populations using SNP data has proven efficient to uncover genes involved in conserved or adaptive molecular functions, but none of the statistical methods were designed to identify interacting genes as targets of selective processes. Here, we propose a straightforward statistical test aimed at detecting epistatic selection, based on a linkage disequilibrium (LD) measure accounting for population structure and heterogeneous relatedness between individuals. SNP-based (Trv) and window-based (TcorPC1v) statistics fit a Student distribution, allowing to easily and quickly test the significance of correlation coefficients in the frame of Genome-Wide Epistatic Selection Scans (GWESS) using candidate genes as baits. As a proof of concept, use of SNP data from the Medicago truncatula symbiotic legume plant uncovered a previously unknown gene coadaptation between the MtSUNN (Super Numeric Nodule) receptor and the MtCLE02 (CLAVATA3-Like) signalling peptide, and experimental evidence accordingly supported a MtSUNN-dependent negative role of MtCLE02 in symbiotic root nodulation. Using human HGDP-CEPH SNP data, our new statistical test uncovered strong LD between SLC24A5 and EDAR worldwide, which persists after correction for population structure and relatedness in Central South Asian populations. This result suggests adaptive genetic interaction or coselection between skin pigmentation and the ectodysplasin pathway involved in the development of ectodermal organs (hairs, teeth, sweat glands), in some human populations. Applying this approach to genome-wide SNP data will foster the identification of evolutionary coadapted gene networks. Author summaryPopulation genomic methods have allowed to identify many genes associated with adaptive processes in populations with complex histories. However, they are not designed to identify gene coadaptation between genes through epistatic selection, in structured populations. To tackle this problem, we developed a straightforward LD-based statistical test accounting for population structure and heterogeneous relatedness between individuals, using SNP-based (Trv) or windows-based (TcorPC1v) statistics. This allows easily and quickly testing for significance of correlation coefficients between polymorphic loci in the frame of Genome Wide Epistatic Selection Scans (GWESS). Following detection of gene coadaptation using SNP data from human and the model plant Medicago truncatula, we report experimental evidence of genetic interaction between two receptors involved in the regulation of root nodule symbiosis in Medicago truncatula. This test opens new avenues for exploring the evolution of genes as interacting units and thus paves the way to infer new networks based on evolutionary coadaptation between genes.

genetics↗