Molecular Marker Genes for Ectomycorrhizal Symbiosis

Mycorrhizal symbiosis is a mutually beneficial association very commonly found among most vascular plants. Formation of mycorrhiza happens only between compatible partners and predicting this is often accomplished through a trial and error process. We investigated the possibility of using expression of symbiosis specific genes as markers to predict the formation of ectomycorrhiza. We used antibodies and cDNA probes corresponding to PF6.2 and Lbras genes of Laccaria bicolor to detect presence and expression of similar genes in other ectomycorrhiza fungi during their association with the red pine. Analyses using transmission electron microscopy and northern hybridization showed that such genes were expressed in several other fungi forming mycorrhiza with red pine. The results suggest that these genes may have a role in many ectomycorrhizal symbiosis systems and may serve as molecular markers for monitoring symbiosis development.