Convergent losses of decay mechanisms and rapid turnover of symbiosis genes in mycorrhizal mutualists

Francis Martin and colleagues report genome sequences for 18 species of mycorrhizal fungi and a phylogenomic analysis including 32 other fungal genomes. The study identifies cell wall-degradation genes lost in all true ectomycorrhizal species and, using gene expression data, finds candidate genes for the establishment of symbiosis. To elucidate the genetic bases of mycorrhizal lifestyle evolution, we sequenced new fungal genomes, including 13 ectomycorrhizal (ECM), orchid (ORM) and ericoid (ERM) species, and five saprotrophs, which we analyzed along with other fungal genomes. Ectomycorrhizal fungi have a reduced complement of genes encoding plant cell wall–degrading enzymes (PCWDEs), as compared to their…

• NS
  National Science Foundation

  Awards: DEB-1208719, 0933081, DEB-0933081, 1208719, DE-AC05-00OR22725, DE-AC02-05CH11231, 1021606
• UD
  U.S. Department of Energy

  Awards: -AC02-05CH11231, AC05-00OR22725, 05CH11231, AC02-05CH11231, DE-AC02, DE-AC02-05CH11231, DE-AC05, 00OR22725, DE-AC02-
• JG
  Joint Genome Institute

  Awards: DE-AC02-05CH11231, AC02-05CH11231
• LD
  Laboratoire d'Excellence TULIP

  Awards: ANR-11-IDEX-0002-02, ANR-10-LABX-41
• DF
  Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft

  Awards: DE-AC02-05CH11231, FTZ 118, DE-AC05-00OR22725
• AN
  Agence Nationale de la Recherche

  Awards: ANR-11-LABX-0002-01, 11-IDEX-0002, ANR-11-IDEX, ANR-11-IDEX-0002, DE-AC02-05CH11231, ANR-10-LABX-41, 11-IDEX-0002-02, ANR-11-IDEX-0002-02, ANR-10, 10-LABX-41, ANR-11-LABX-0002
• V
  Vetenskapsrådet
• DZ
  Deutsches Zentrum für integrative Biodiversitätsforschung Halle-Jena-Leipzig
• OO
  Office of Science

  Awards: DE-AC05-00OR22725, AC02-05CH11231, -AC02-05CH11231, DE-AC02, AC05-00OR22725
• BA
  Biological and Environmental Research

  Awards: 05CH11231, DE-AC05-00OR22725, 00OR22725, DE-AC02-05CH11231, AC02-05CH11231