Regulation of genes involved in nitrogen utilization on different C/N ratios and nitrogen sources in the model ectomycorrhizal fungus Hebeloma cylindrosporum

Mycorrhiza. 2012 Oct;22(7):515-24. doi: 10.1007/s00572-011-0428-5.

Abstract

Nitrogen (N) utilization by ectomycorrhizal fungi is an essential aspect of their ecosystem function. N deposition changes both the N pools and the carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratio of the substrates where ectomycorrhizal fungi are found, and it is important to understand how these changes affect the N forms used by ectomycorrhizal fungi. To overcome the difficulties of studying ectomycorrhizal fungi in situ, we investigated all known N genes in the model fungus, Hebeloma cylindrosporum in a culture study. In addition to studying the regulation of all known N utilization genes, we aimed to understand whether there are gene clusters that undergo similar regulation. Lastly we studied how C/N ratio, N transporter type, and N source affected relative gene expression levels. We grew the D2 strain of H. cylindrosporum on a range of inorganic and organic N sources under low, medium, and high C/N ratios. We found three gene clusters that were regulated in a similar pattern. Lastly, we found C/N ratio, N source and N transporter type all affected gene expression levels. Relative expression levels were highest on the high C/N ratio, BSA and diLeucine N sources, and inorganic N transporters were always expressed at higher levels than organic N transporters. These results suggest that inorganic N sources may always the default preference for H. cylindrosporum, regardless of both the N sources and the C/N ratio of the substrate.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acids / metabolism
  • Biological Transport
  • Carbon / metabolism*
  • Culture Media / metabolism
  • Fungal Proteins / genetics
  • Fungal Proteins / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal*
  • Genes, Fungal*
  • Hebeloma / genetics*
  • Hebeloma / growth & development
  • Hebeloma / metabolism
  • Microbiological Techniques
  • Multigene Family
  • Mycorrhizae / genetics
  • Mycorrhizae / growth & development
  • Mycorrhizae / metabolism
  • Nitrogen / metabolism*

Substances

  • Amino Acids
  • Culture Media
  • Fungal Proteins
  • Carbon
  • Nitrogen