The Role of Plant Transporters in Mycorrhizal Symbioses

Abstract

Membrane transport systems are crucial elements for plant nutrition and development as they play a key role in the absorption of mineral nutrients and water at the root level but also in the translocation within the plant. Moreover, membrane transport is involved in signalling and communication e.g. to adapt and interact with the environment. Most plants live in tight contact with beneficial soil microbes, such as bacteria and mycorrhizal fungi, which contribute to plant nutrition in part through modulation of the expression and functioning of plant transporter systems, as ion channels and transporters. In addition, mycorrhizal fungi largely increase the absorption surface of roots thereby promoting plant's access to soil resources as minerals and water. In turn, plants “reward” mycorrhizal fungi with sugars and/or lipids. This “fair trade” requires specific communication and a series of exchanges between the two symbiotic partners enabled by the adaptability and plasticity of their transporters. Here, we summarize recent advances allowing molecular insight in the impact of mycorrhizal symbiosis on the plant “transportome”. We highlight results obtained in ecto- and endomycorrhizal associations for plant transporters involved in the absorption of mineral nutrients and water released by the fungus at the symbiotic interface, and molecular players responsible for carbon and lipid nutrition of the fungal partner. We focus also on plant membrane transport systems implicated in early communication between plant and fungal partners.