Conditioning plants for arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis through DWARF14-LIKE signalling

The evolutionarily ancient α/β hydrolase DWARF14-LIKE (D14L) is indispensable for the perception of beneficial arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi in rhizosphere, and a range developmental processes. Variants D14L recognise natural strigolactones smoke constituent karrikin, both classified as butenolides, additional unknown ligand(s), critical symbiosis development. Recent advances understanding downstream effects signalling include biochemical evidence degradation repressor SMAX1. Indeed, genetic removal rice SMAX1 leads to de-repression programmes simultaneous increase strigolactone production. As are key attraction fungus pathway appears coordinate fungal stimulation root symbiotic competency. Here, we discuss possible integrative roles conditioning plants AM symbiosis.