Abstract
Neurospora crassa has a long history as an excellent model for genetic, cellular, and biochemical research. Although this fungus is known as a saprotroph, it normally appears on burned vegetations or trees after forest fires. However, due to a lack of experimental evidence, the nature of its association with living plants remains enigmatic. Here we report that Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) is a host plant for N. crassa. The endophytic lifestyle of N. crassa was found in its interaction with Scots pine. Moreover, the fungus can switch to a pathogenic state when its balanced interaction with the host is disrupted. Our data reveal previously unknown lifestyles of N. crassa, which are likely controlled by both environmental and host factors. Switching among the endophytic, pathogenic, and saprotrophic lifestyles confers upon fungi phenotypic plasticity in adapting to changing environments and drives the evolution of fungi and associated plants.
Highlights
Neurospora crassa has a long history as an excellent model for genetic, cellular, and biochemical research
In order to investigate the alternative lifestyles of N. crassa, Scots pine seedlings grown in microcosm were inoculated with conidial suspension (105 conidia/ml) and the colonization patterns were documented over a period of 5 months by fluorescence and confocal microscopy (Supplementary Fig. S1)
Ascospores rather than conidia in the soil or on the tree were proposed as a source of Neurospora after a forest fire[6,29], this is contradicted by the fact that conidia are observed most frequently in the field[5]
Summary
Neurospora crassa has a long history as an excellent model for genetic, cellular, and biochemical research. This fungus is known as a saprotroph, it normally appears on burned vegetations or trees after forest fires. Pathogenic, and saprotrophic lifestyles confers upon fungi phenotypic plasticity in adapting to changing environments and drives the evolution of fungi and associated plants. The filamentous fungal species, Neurospora crassa has become a popular experimental model microbe for genetic, cellular, and biochemical research in the latter half of the 20th century[1,2,3]. We performed a series of experiments to reveal the alternative lifestyles of N. crassa and provide the first evidence of endophytic and pathogenic N. crassa lifestyles in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
