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Fatal attraction of Caenorhabditis elegans to predatory fungi through 6-methyl-salicylic acid

Author

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  • Xi Yu

    (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) - South Campus, Institute of Applied Biosciences, Department of Microbiology, Fritz-Haber-Weg 4
    Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Hadal Science and Technology, College of Marine Sciences, Shanghai Ocean University)

  • Xiaodi Hu

    (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) - South Campus, Institute of Applied Biosciences, Department of Microbiology, Fritz-Haber-Weg 4)

  • Maria Pop

    (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) - South Campus, Institute of Applied Biosciences, Department of Microbiology, Fritz-Haber-Weg 4)

  • Nicole Wernet

    (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) - South Campus, Institute of Applied Biosciences, Department of Microbiology, Fritz-Haber-Weg 4)

  • Frank Kirschhöfer

    (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) - North Campus, Institute of Functional Interfaces, Department of Bioengineering and Biosystems)

  • Gerald Brenner-Weiß

    (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) - North Campus, Institute of Functional Interfaces, Department of Bioengineering and Biosystems)

  • Julia Keller

    (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) - South Campus, Institute of Applied Biosciences, Department of Food Chemistry and Phytochemistry, Adenauerring 20 A)

  • Mirko Bunzel

    (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) - South Campus, Institute of Applied Biosciences, Department of Food Chemistry and Phytochemistry, Adenauerring 20 A)

  • Reinhard Fischer

    (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) - South Campus, Institute of Applied Biosciences, Department of Microbiology, Fritz-Haber-Weg 4)

Abstract

Salicylic acid is a phenolic phytohormone which controls plant growth and development. A methyl ester (MSA) derivative thereof is volatile and involved in plant-insect or plant-plant communication. Here we show that the nematode-trapping fungus Duddingtonia flagrans uses a methyl-salicylic acid isomer, 6-MSA as morphogen for spatiotemporal control of trap formation and as chemoattractant to lure Caenorhabditis elegans into fungal colonies. 6-MSA is the product of a polyketide synthase and an intermediate in the biosynthesis of arthrosporols. The polyketide synthase (ArtA), produces 6-MSA in hyphal tips, and is uncoupled from other enzymes required for the conversion of 6-MSA to arthrosporols, which are produced in older hyphae. 6-MSA and arthrosporols both block trap formation. The presence of nematodes inhibits 6-MSA and arthrosporol biosyntheses and thereby enables trap formation. 6-MSA and arthrosporols are thus morphogens with some functions similar to quorum-sensing molecules. We show that 6-MSA is important in interkingdom communication between fungi and nematodes.

Suggested Citation

  • Xi Yu & Xiaodi Hu & Maria Pop & Nicole Wernet & Frank Kirschhöfer & Gerald Brenner-Weiß & Julia Keller & Mirko Bunzel & Reinhard Fischer, 2021. "Fatal attraction of Caenorhabditis elegans to predatory fungi through 6-methyl-salicylic acid," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:12:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-021-25535-1
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-25535-1
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