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The arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis is a fascinating mutualistic interaction between roots of most land plants and fungi of the phylum of the Glomeromycota. The development of this life-long alliance starts with reciprocal recognition in the rhizosphere, reprogramming both symbionts for the anticipated association. The interaction proceeds towards extensive root colonization which culminates in the formation of fungal feeding structures, the arbuscules, inside root cortex cells. As the arbuscule develops, the plant cell dramatically increases membrane biogenesis to envelope the growing hyphal structure. Thereby a hugely enlarged intracellular surface area is created between the two organisms, appearing ideally adapted for the exchange of signals and nutrients.
The nature and complexity of the establishment of AM symbioses must be the result of a well-orchestrated exchange of molecular signals between the plant and the fungus. The nature of some of the signals has been discovered in recent years, providing a first insight into the type of chemical language spoken between the two symbiotic partners. My group has taken molecular genetics and lately advanced imaging approaches to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underpinning this apparently harmonious symbiosis. I will introduce some of our recent observations which have led us to propose fundamentally new communication mechanisms operating during this intimate plant-fungal partnership.