Plant Biol (Stuttg) 2001; 3(2): 194-200
DOI: 10.1055/s-2001-12902
Original Paper
Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart ·New York

Local Induction of a Mycorrhiza-Specific Class III Chitinase Gene in Cortical Root Cells of Medicago truncatula Containing Developing or Mature Arbuscules

A. Bonanomi, A. Wiemken, T. Boller, P. Salzer
  • Botanisches Institut der Universität Basel, Basel, Switzerland
Further Information

Publication History

September 7, 2000

February 13, 2001

Publication Date:
31 December 2001 (online)

Abstract

A class III chitinase gene, Mtchitinase III-3, has been found to be induced in roots of Medicago truncatula specifically upon colonization by the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi Glomus mosseae and Glomus intraradices. Here we show by in situ hybridization techniques that Mtchitinase III-3 is only expressed in cortical root cells containing arbuscules formed by either of the fungi. Transcripts of Mtchitinase III-3 were detected in cells containing developing as well as mature arbuscules. They were absent from cells adjacent to arbuscule-containing cells, from cells in contact with intraradical hyphae and from cortical cells in non-colonized areas of the root. These results indicate that the product of the Mtchitinase III-3 gene has a role within individual cortical cells during formation and functioning of arbuscules.

Abbreviations

AM: arbuscular mycorrhizae

AMF: arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

bp: base pairs

RT-PCR: reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction

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P. Salzer

Botanisches Institut der Universität Basel

Hebelstraße 1
4056 Basel
Switzerland

Email: Peter.Salzer@unibas.ch

Section Editor: J. Draper