Prof. Dr. Christian Hertweck
Vertical and horizontal transmission of bacterial endosymbionts in fungi (Rhizopus)

Abstract:
The plant-pathogenic fungus Rhizopus microsporus and the bacterium Burkholderia rizoxini form a unique symbiosis, in which the fungus hosts the bacterial endosymbiont for the production of a pathogenicity factor, named rhizoxin. According to Koch's postulates, the endosymbiont hypothesis has been proven by the generation of a rhizoxin-negative symbiont-free fungal chemotype, the successful cultivation of rhizoxin-producing bacterial endosymbionts, and reinfection. Nonetheless, this intriguing mutualism raises fascinating questions about the acquisition and transmission of the symbiont (horizontal and vertical), as well as reciprocal adaptation, which will be the subject of this study.

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