Fungal network growth in grasses made possible by cell wall remodeling

Scientists now have a deeper understanding of how a fungus develops a symbiotic lifestyle inside grass leaf and why the grass leaf fails to defend itself against the intruder, thanks to research coming from Massey University in New Zealand and the University of Münster in Germany.

Fungal endophytes of the Epichloë species are known to form symbiotic associations with aerial tissues of cool season grasses. These endophytes form networks within the leaf sheath and blade as well as the flower stems and play an important role in protecting the grass from biotic and abiotic stresses, including insects and drought.

When observing this relationship between these fungal endophytes and perennial ryegrass, scientists noticed that chitin, which primarily makes up cell walls in fungi, was depleted or modified once the endophytes infected the grass. They found instead that these cell walls contained chitosan, a natural plant defense activator derived from chitin. Once the endophytes exit the leaf to grow on the leaf surface, chitin is once again found in the cell walls.

These observations suggest that conversion of chitin to chitosan is crucial for the symbiotic lifestyle. This conversion possibly suppresses a host defense response."

Barry Scott, Scientist, American Phytopathological Society

This is the first study to show the role of cell wall remodeling of chitin to chitosan in a plant-associated symbiotic fungus and helps explain why the plant host fails to elicit any major host defense response.

"A better understanding of these associations will help develop new strategies and technologies to protect natural ecosystems and benefit agriculture," Scott adds.