Signalling Mechanisms in Plant-Microbe Symbioses: A Comprehensive Review

Author: Adil Rahim Margay

Download PDF

Abstract

Plant-microbe symbioses play pivotal roles in ecosystem functioning, agricultural productivity, and plant health. Understanding the intricate signaling mechanisms governing these relationships is crucial for harnessing their benefits in sustainable agriculture and environmental management. This comprehensive review synthesizes current knowledge on signaling processes mediating mutualistic interactions between plants and microbes. We explore the diverse molecular strategies employed by both partners to recognize, communicate, and establish symbiotic relationships. Key signaling pathways, including those involving phytohormones, secondary metabolites, and microbial effectors, are discussed, highlighting their roles in symbiotic specificity and regulation. Furthermore, we elucidate the crosstalk between different signaling networks and environmental factors that shape symbiotic outcomes. By integrating insights from genetics, genomics, and ecological studies, we provide a holistic understanding of plant-microbe signaling dynamics, offering perspectives for future research directions and applications in agriculture and ecosystem management. This review serves as a valuable resource for researchers, educators, and practitioners seeking to deepen their understanding of the molecular basis of plant-microbe interactions and harness their potential for sustainable development. Additionally, molecular communication via microbial effectors and plant receptors fine-tunes symbiotic associations, ensuring mutualistic outcomes. We highlight recent advances in omics technologies, which have revolutionized our understanding of the intricate networks underlying plant-microbe signalling. Moreover, we discuss the ecological significance of symbiotic signalling, emphasizing its role in nutrient acquisition, stress tolerance, and ecosystem functioning. Insights from this review provide a foundation for engineering plant-microbe interactions for sustainable agriculture and environmental remediation, paving the way for innovative strategies to enhance crop productivity and ecosystem resilience

Keywords

Plant Microbiome symbiosis, Molecular mechanism, signalling pathway.

Conclusion

The symbiotic signaling research field has witnessed remarkable advancements, with a burgeoning interest in deciphering the intricate communication mechanisms between host organisms and their symbionts (Smith et al., 2023). The integration of omics approaches, such as metagenomics and metabolomics, has enabled comprehensive profiling of symbiotic communities and their functional dynamics (Chen et al., 2023). In addition to elucidating fundamental principles of symbiotic signaling, recent research has highlighted the ecological and evolutionary implications of symbiotic associations. Furthermore, investigations into the impact of environmental stressors, such as climate change and pollution, on symbiotic relationships have underscored the vulnerability of these associations to anthropogenic disturbances. Looking ahead, several emerging trends are poised to shape the future trajectory of symbiotic signaling research. One such trend is the growing emphasis on the microbiome-host-immune axis, recognizing the intricate interplay between symbiotic microbes, host immunity, and health outcomes (Zhang et al., 2023). Additionally, the advent of synthetic biology tools offers exciting opportunities for engineering symbiotic systems with tailored functionalities for various applications, including bioremediation and agriculture. Several features of plant cell restructuring (e.g., symbiotic interface biogenesis) are strikingly similar (Parniske, 2008). In this context, conserved genes should be much more numerous than just the few currently listed in the CSP; not surprisingly, common symbiotic genes have already been identified which do not fit into the pathway. To mention just a few examples, VAPYRIN (Pumplin et al., 2010) is a partially characterized protein featuring a Major Sperm protein domain and several ankyrin repeats, likely involved in membrane dynamics; CERBERUS (Yano et al., 2009) is an E3 ubiquitin ligase. Both are required for symbiont accommodation, but more likely in cellular remodeling and interface development than in signaling. On the same line, a group of SNARE proteins belonging to the VAMP72 family has been involved in symbiotic interface assembly for both interactions.

References

-

How to cite this article

Adil Rahim Margay (2024). Signalling Mechanisms in Plant-Microbe Symbioses: A Comprehensive Review. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 16(5): 137-145.