RT Journal Article
T1 Algal-fungal mutualism: cell recognition and maintenance ofthe symbiotic status of lichens
A1 Díaz, E. M.
A1 Sánchez Elordi, Elena
A1 Santiago, Rocío
A1 Vicente Córdoba, Carlos
A1 Legaz González, María Estrella
AB Lichens are specific symbiotic associations between photosynthetic algae or cyanobacteria and heterotrophic fungi forming a double entity in which both components coexist. Specificity required for the lichen establishment can be defined in this context as the preferential, but not exclusive, association of a biont with another, since the algal factor susceptible to be recognized is an inducible protein. Recognition of compatible algal cells is performed by specific lectins produced and secreted by the potential mycobiont. Some lectins from phycolichens and cyanolichens are glycosylated arginases which bind to an algal cell wall receptor, identified as a a-1, 4-polygalactosylated urease. However, other ligands exist which bind other lectins specific for mannose or glucose. This implies that, after recognition of a potential, compatible partner, other fungal lectins could determine the final success of the association. Since the fungus can parasitize non - recognized partners during the development of the association, the success after the first contact needs of a set of algal cells, the number of which was sufficient to prevent that the death of a certain number of them makes fail the symbiosis. Fungal lectins act as chemo tactic factors in such a way that algae and cyanobacteria move towards the hyphae, to acquire that critical size of the colony, by means of successive contractions and relaxation of the actomyosin cytoskeleton in absence of any motile appendages.
PB JSciMed Central
SN 2378-931X
YR 2016
FD 2016-08-22
LK https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/18468
UL https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/18468
LA eng
NO Universidad Complutense de Madrid
DS Docta Complutense
RD 28 jun 2025