Insights from comparative transcriptome analysis in the responses of Pb-tolerant fungi Curvularia tsudae to Pb stress.

The fungus Curvularia tsudae can survive in environments that are extremely contaminated by heavy metals; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms of heavy metal tolerance are not clear. In this study, we determined the effects of lead (Pb) stress on the growth of C. tsudae and used RNA-Seq to identify significant genes and biological processes involved.

[Advances in mechanisms of nutrient exchange between mycorrhizal fungi and host plants].

Mycorrhizae, formed through the colonization of soil mycorrhizal fungi into the roots of host plants, are common symbiosis in the terrestrial ecosystems. The establishment of mycorrhizae is mainly based on the bidirectional nutrient exchanges between the symbiotic partners. Mycorrhizal fungi can absorb mineral nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, from soil and transport them to the host plants for their growth.