A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Endophytic Epichloe species and their grass hosts: from evolution to applications
Authors: Saikkonen K, Young CA, Helander M, Schardl CL
Publisher: SPRINGER
Publication year: 2016
Journal: Plant Molecular Biology
Journal name in source: PLANT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
Journal acronym: PLANT MOL BIOL
Volume: 90
Issue: 6
First page : 665
Last page: 675
Number of pages: 11
ISSN: 0167-4412
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11103-015-0399-6
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/17383323
Abstract
The closely linked fitness of the Epichloe symbiont and the host grass is presumed to align the coevolution of the species towards specialization and mutually beneficial cooperation. Ecological observations demonstrating that Epichloe-grass symbioses can modulate grassland ecosystems via both above- and belowground ecosystem processes support this. In many cases the detected ecological importance of Epichloe species is directly or indirectly linked to defensive mutualism attributable to alkaloids of fungal-origin. Now, modern genetic and molecular techniques enable the precise studies on evolutionary origin of endophytic Epichloe species, their coevolution with host grasses and identification the genetic variation that explains phenotypic diversity in ecologically relevant characteristics of Epichloe-grass associations. Here we briefly review the most recent findings in these areas of research using the present knowledge of the genetic variation that explains the biosynthetic pathways driving the diversity of alkaloids produced by the endophyte. These findings underscore the importance of genetic interplay between the fungus and the host in shaping their coevolution and ecological role in both natural grass ecosystems, and in the agricultural arena.
The closely linked fitness of the Epichloe symbiont and the host grass is presumed to align the coevolution of the species towards specialization and mutually beneficial cooperation. Ecological observations demonstrating that Epichloe-grass symbioses can modulate grassland ecosystems via both above- and belowground ecosystem processes support this. In many cases the detected ecological importance of Epichloe species is directly or indirectly linked to defensive mutualism attributable to alkaloids of fungal-origin. Now, modern genetic and molecular techniques enable the precise studies on evolutionary origin of endophytic Epichloe species, their coevolution with host grasses and identification the genetic variation that explains phenotypic diversity in ecologically relevant characteristics of Epichloe-grass associations. Here we briefly review the most recent findings in these areas of research using the present knowledge of the genetic variation that explains the biosynthetic pathways driving the diversity of alkaloids produced by the endophyte. These findings underscore the importance of genetic interplay between the fungus and the host in shaping their coevolution and ecological role in both natural grass ecosystems, and in the agricultural arena.
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