Genomic evidence of symbiotic adaptations in fungus-associated bacteria
Daniyal Gohar,
Kadri Põldmaa,
Mari Pent,
Saleh Rahimlou,
Klara Cerk,
Duncan Y.K. Ng,
Falk Hildebrand,
Mo Bahram
Affiliations
Daniyal Gohar
Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, J. Liivi St. 2, 50409 Tartu, Estonia; Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA; Corresponding author
Kadri Põldmaa
Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, J. Liivi St. 2, 50409 Tartu, Estonia; Natural History Museum and Botanical Garden, University of Tartu, Vanemuise 46, 51003 Tartu, Estonia
Mari Pent
Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, J. Liivi St. 2, 50409 Tartu, Estonia
Saleh Rahimlou
Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
Klara Cerk
Gut Microbes & Health, Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7UQ Norfolk, UK; Earlham Institute, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7UZ Norfolk, UK
Duncan Y.K. Ng
Gut Microbes & Health, Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7UQ Norfolk, UK
Falk Hildebrand
Gut Microbes & Health, Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7UQ Norfolk, UK; Earlham Institute, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7UZ Norfolk, UK
Mo Bahram
Department of Agroecology, Aarhus University, Forsøgsvej 1, 4200 Slagelse, Denmark; Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Ulls väg 16, 756 51 Uppsala, Sweden; Corresponding author
Summary: Fungi harbor diverse bacteria that engage in various relationships. While these relationships potentially influence fungal functioning, their underlying genetic mechanisms remain unexplored. Here, we aimed to elucidate the key genomic features of fungus-associated bacteria (FaB) by comparing 163 FaB genomes to 1,048 bacterial genomes from other hosts and habitats. Our analyses revealed several distinctive genomic features of FaB. We found that FaB are enriched in carbohydrate transport/metabolism- and motility-related genes, suggesting an adaptation for utilizing complex fungal carbon sources. They are also enriched in genes targeting fungal biomass, likely reflecting their role in recycling and rebuilding fungal structures. Additionally, FaB associated with plant-mutualistic fungi possess a wider array of carbon-acquisition enzymes specific to fungal and plant substrates compared to those residing with saprotrophic fungi. These unique genomic features highlight FaB’ potential as key players in fungal nutrient acquisition and decomposition, ultimately influencing plant-fungal symbiosis and ecosystem functioning.
