Low gene copy number shows that arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi inherit genetically different nuclei

Mohamed Hijri and Ian R. Sanders ()
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Mohamed Hijri: University of Lausanne
Ian R. Sanders: University of Lausanne

Nature, 2005, vol. 433, issue 7022, 160-163

Abstract: Genome Share ‘One genome, one organism’ sounds a reasonable rule of thumb, but for arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), it may not be the case. These fungi are symbiotic on the roots of most plants, where they improve plant growth. They have existed unchanged for 400 million years, without having sexual reproduction. High genetic variability is seen within single individuals, but the explanation of this phenomenon is a subject of controversy. One hypothesis, that variation within a single cell is due to genetically different nuclei, challenges some basic assumptions of evolutionary genetics. But a new study concludes that the observed variation cannot be explained by polyploidy or high copy number, the alternatives usually offered, and that it is certainly partitioned among the nuclei. This topic is also debated this week in Brief Communications Arising (see panel on page 121).

Date: 2005
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DOI: 10.1038/nature03069

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