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. 2024 Apr 12;22(4):e3002587.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002587. eCollection 2024 Apr.

Fungal holobionts as blueprints for synthetic endosymbiotic systems

Laila P Partida-Martínez  1
Affiliations

Fungal holobionts as blueprints for synthetic endosymbiotic systems

Laila P Partida-Martínez. PLoS Biol. .

Abstract

Rhizopus microsporus is an example of a fungal holobiont. Strains of this species can harbor bacterial and viral endosymbionts inherited by the next generation. These microbial allies increase pathogenicity and defense and control asexual and sexual reproduction.

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Conflict of interest statement

The author has declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. The holobiont Rhizopus microsporus. Fungi contain microbiota: R. microsporus (Rm) can live in symbiosis with Mycetohabitans bacteria and the RmNV-20S and RmNV-23S narnaviruses.
Progeny inherits symbionts: A bacterial cell is enclosed inside the sporangiospore. The sporangiospore germinates, and 2 bacterial cells are visible in the growing hypha. Symbionts affect fitness: The toxins rhizonin and rhizoxin, produced by Mycetohabitans, increase R. microsporus’s pathogenicity towards animals and plants, while rhizoxin also serves as a defense against fungivores. Mycetohabitans control asexual fungal reproduction. No sporangia or sporangiospores are formed without symbiotic bacteria (as shown in the drawing labeled Rm (b-)). Sexual zygospores are successfully produced when Mycetohabitans and narnaviruses are present. The strain Rm (Mt+) harbors Mycetohabitans (b), while the strain Rm (Mt-) harbors Mycetohabitans and the 2 narnaviruses (b, nv).
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