Mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) are one of the most promising solutions for energy-efficient gas separation. However, conventional MMM synthesis methods inevitably lead to poor filler-polymer ...interfacial compatibility, filler agglomeration, and limited loading. Herein, inspired by symbiotic relationships in nature, we designed a universal bottom-up method for in situ nanosized metal organic framework (MOF) assembly within polymer matrices. Consequently, our method eliminating the traditional postsynthetic step significantly enhanced MOF dispersion, interfacial compatibility, and loading to an unprecedented 67.2 wt % in synthesized MMMs. Utilizing experimental techniques and complementary density functional theory (DFT) simulation, we validated that these enhancements synergistically ameliorated CO
solubility, which was significantly different from other works where MOF typically promoted gas diffusion. Our approach simultaneously improves CO
permeability and selectivity, and superior carbon capture performance is maintained even during long-term tests; the mechanical strength is retained even with ultrahigh MOF loadings. This symbiosis-inspired de novo strategy can potentially pave the way for next-generation MMMs that can fully exploit the unique characteristics of both MOFs and matrices.
Plant sap-feeding insects (Hemiptera) rely on bacterial symbionts for nutrition absent in their diets. These bacteria experience extreme genome reduction and require genetic resources from their ...hosts, particularly for basic cellular processes other than nutrition synthesis. The host-derived mechanisms that complete these processes have remained poorly understood. It is also unclear how hosts meet the distinct needs of multiple bacterial partners with differentially degraded genomes. To address these questions, we investigated the cell-specific gene-expression patterns in the symbiotic organs of the aster leafhopper (ALF), Macrosteles quadrilineatus (Cicadellidae). ALF harbors two intracellular symbionts that have two of the smallest known bacterial genomes: Nasuia (112 kb) and Sulcia (190 kb). Symbionts are segregated into distinct host cell types (bacteriocytes) and vary widely in their basic cellular capabilities. ALF differentially expresses thousands of genes between the bacteriocyte types to meet the functional needs of each symbiont, including the provisioning of metabolites and support of cellular processes. For example, the host highly expresses genes in the bacteriocytes that likely complement gene losses in nucleic acid synthesis, DNA repair mechanisms, transcription, and translation. Such genes are required to function in the bacterial cytosol. Many host genes comprising these support mechanisms are derived from the evolution of novel functional traits via horizontally transferred genes, reassigned mitochondrial support genes, and gene duplications with bacteriocyte-specific expression. Comparison across other hemipteran lineages reveals that hosts generally support the incomplete symbiont cellular processes, but the origins of these support mechanisms are generally specific to the host–symbiont system.
Summary
Early gene expression in arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) and the nitrogen‐fixing root nodule symbiosis (RNS) is governed by a shared regulatory complex. Yet many symbiosis‐induced genes are ...specifically activated in only one of the two symbioses.
The Lotus japonicus T‐DNA insertion line T90, carrying a promoterless uidA (GUS) gene in the promoter of Calcium Binding Protein 1 (CBP1) is exceptional as it exhibits GUS activity in both root endosymbioses. To identify the responsible cis‐ and trans‐acting factors, we subjected deletion/modification series of CBP1 promoter : reporter fusions to transactivation and spatio‐temporal expression analysis and screened ethyl methanesulphonate (EMS)‐mutagenized T90 populations for aberrant GUS expression.
We identified one cis‐regulatory element required for GUS expression in the epidermis and a second element, necessary and sufficient for transactivation by the calcium and calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase (CCaMK) in combination with the transcription factor Cyclops and conferring gene expression during both AM and RNS. Lack of GUS expression in T90 white mutants could be traced to DNA hypermethylation detected in and around this element.
We concluded that the CCaMK/Cyclops complex can contribute to at least three distinct gene expression patterns on its direct target promoters NIN (RNS), RAM1 (AM), and CBP1 (AM and RNS), calling for yet‐to‐be identified specificity‐conferring factors.
Mycorrhizal fungi considerably improve plant nutrition and help them to cope with changing environments. Particularly, these fungi express proteins to transfer inorganic phosphate (Pi) from the soil ...to colonized roots through symbiotic interfaces. The mechanisms involved in Pi transfer from fungal to plant cells are still largely unknown. Here, we discuss the recent progress made on the description of these mechanisms and we propose the most promising hypotheses and alternative mechanisms for this process. Specifically, we present a phylogenetic survey of candidate Pi transporters of mycorrhizal fungi that might ensure Pi unload into the symbiotic interfaces. Gathering additional knowledge on mycorrhizal Pi transport will improve the Pi-useefficiency in agroecological systems and will guide towards addressing future research challenges.
The acquisition of phosphorus by plants is often mediated by soil microbes colonizing the roots, particularly mycorrhizal fungi.Key molecular mechanisms involved in the transport of phosphorus from the soil to mycorrhizal fungi have been revealed recently. However, the release of phosphorus towards colonized roots is still understudied, even if a recent report highlighted the possible involvement of fungal H+:Pi transporters.Based on a survey of fungal transport proteins, others mechanisms possibly ensuring phosphorus efflux in mycorrhizas must coexist besides H+:Pi transporters. These include the putative involvement of Pi :Na+, low-affinity inorganic phosphate, and organic phosphate transporters.Unravelling the fungal phosphorus transportome will allow a better use of plant–fungus symbioses for the improvement of plant nutrition in cropping systems.
Symbiotic Metamaterials
In article number 2214580, Il‐Kwon Oh and co‐workers, design a novel symbiotic metamaterial by combining a biomimetic Schwarz minimal surface with a biophilic material from ...nature such as organic lichen. Lichen is a symbiotic fungi that originated in Scandinavian forests with misty climates. This symbiotic lichen Schwarz metamaterial has applications in sound wave manipulation and humidity control for buildings, sustainable architecture, and functional furniture.
Rhizobium‐induced root nodules are specialized organs for symbiotic nitrogen fixation. Indeterminate‐type nodules are formed from an apical meristem and exhibit a spatial zonation which corresponds ...to successive developmental stages. To get a dynamic and integrated view of plant and bacterial gene expression associated with nodule development, we used a sensitive and comprehensive approach based upon oriented high‐depth RNA sequencing coupled to laser microdissection of nodule regions. This study, focused on the association between the model legume Medicago truncatula and its symbiont Sinorhizobium meliloti, led to the production of 942 million sequencing read pairs that were unambiguously mapped on plant and bacterial genomes. Bioinformatic and statistical analyses enabled in‐depth comparison, at a whole‐genome level, of gene expression in specific nodule zones. Previously characterized symbiotic genes displayed the expected spatial pattern of expression, thus validating the robustness of our approach. We illustrate the use of this resource by examining gene expression associated with three essential elements of nodule development, namely meristem activity, cell differentiation and selected signaling processes related to bacterial Nod factors and redox status. We found that transcription factor genes essential for the control of the root apical meristem were also expressed in the nodule meristem, while the plant mRNAs most enriched in nodules compared with roots were mostly associated with zones comprising both plant and bacterial partners. The data, accessible on a dedicated website, represent a rich resource for microbiologists and plant biologists to address a variety of questions of both fundamental and applied interest.
is a common species of fungus frequently isolated from plants as both an endophyte and a pathogen. Although the current definition of
rests on a foundation of morphological, genetic and genomic ...analyses, doubts persist regarding the scope of
within the genus due to the varied symbiotic interactions and wide host range observed in these fungi. These doubts may be due in large part to the history of unstable taxonomy in
, based on limited morphological characters for species delimitation and host specificity associated with toxins encoded by genes carried on conditionally dispensable chromosomes. This review explores the history of
taxonomy, focusing in particular on the use of nutritional mode and host associations in species delimitation, with the goal of evaluating
as it currently stands based on taxonomic best practice. Given the recombination detected among isolates of
, different symbiotic associations in this species should not be considered phylogenetically informative.
Industrial symbiosis, which allows entities and companies that traditionally be separated, to cooperate among them in the sharing of resources, contributes to the increase of sustainability with ...environmental, economic and social benefits. Examples of industrial symbiosis have grown over the years with increasing geographic dispersion. Thus, through a comprehensive review of previous studies, this work aims to trace the trend of industrial symbiosis research and to map the existing case studies around the world, with a critical analysis of its impact. The analysis of the 584 selected publications allowed tracing the evolution of these according to their content and the type of article, as well as its distribution by journals. Based on the literature review, the main lines for research in industrial symbiosis are assessed, as well as an updated study of the published case studies is provided with emphasis on the location, type of industry and employed methodologies. Several challenges are then identified for future research. The results reveal the number of articles on industrial symbiosis has greatly increased since 2007 and China is the country with the largest number of publications and cases of industrial symbiosis, followed by the United States. The methods for quantifying impacts and analysing industrial symbiosis networks were the most widely used. The analysis of the published case studies allowed an overview of the industrial symbiosis in the world and showed that the potential for application is enormous, both in developed countries and in countries with developing economies, and although the most present economic activities in the synergies are associated with the manufacturing sector, the possibilities of industrial symbiosis are not restricted to these activities nor to the number of entities involved. The symbioses between industry and the surrounding community also have great potential for development with numerous advantages for both parties.
I. II. III. IV. V. VI. References SUMMARY: For survival, plants have to efficiently adjust their phenotype to environmental challenges, finely coordinating their responses to balance growth and ...defence. Such phenotypic plasticity can be modulated by their associated microbiota. The widespread mycorrhizal symbioses modify plant responses to external stimuli, generally improving the resilience of the symbiotic system to environmental stresses. Phytohormones, central regulators of plant development and immunity, are instrumental in orchestrating plant responses to the fluctuating environment, but also in the regulation of mycorrhizal symbioses. Exciting advances in the molecular regulation of phytohormone signalling are providing mechanistic insights into how plants coordinate their responses to environmental cues and mycorrhizal functioning. Here, we summarize how these mechanisms permit the fine‐tuning of the symbiosis according to the ever‐changing environment.
Abstract The rhizosphere, which serves as the primary interface between plant roots and the soil, constitutes an ecological niche for a huge diversity of microbial communities. Currently, there is ...little knowledge on the nature and the function of the different metabolites released by rhizospheric microbes to facilitate colonization of this highly competitive environment. Here, we demonstrate how the production of galbonolides, a group of polyene macrolides that inhibit plant and fungal inositol phosphorylceramide synthase (IPCS), empowers the rhizospheric Streptomyces strain AgN23, to thrive in the rhizosphere by triggering the plant’s defence mechanisms. Metabolomic analysis of AgN23-inoculated Arabidopsis roots revealed a strong induction in the production of an indole alkaloid, camalexin, which is a major phytoalexin in Arabidopsis. By using a plant mutant compromized in camalexin synthesis, we show that camalexin production is necessary for the successful colonization of the rhizosphere by AgN23. Conversely, hindering galbonolides biosynthesis in AgN23 knock-out mutant resulted in loss of inhibition of IPCS, a deficiency in plant defence activation, notably the production of camalexin, and a strongly reduced development of the mutant bacteria in the rhizosphere. Together, our results identified galbonolides as important metabolites mediating rhizosphere colonization by Streptomyces.
PDF
