Gene expression controlling signalling molecules within mutualistic associations of an invasive plant: An evolutionary perspective

Abstract Chemical signals are crucial in mediating ecological and evolutionary adaptation of plants to their environments. Indeed, invasive plants may produce greater amounts of chemical metabolites in their new ranges. Some of these chemicals can enhance their mutualistic interactions and improve invasive plant performance, but genetic mechanisms of such adaptations are unexplored. We used Triadica sebifera plants as a model to investigate evolutionary changes in chemical signals that enhance arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal associations. Previous studies found that T. sebifera plants from invasive populations had higher root exudate concentrations of the flavonoid quercetin and elevated AM fungal colonization compared with those from native populations. Here, we explored genetic variation in strigolactone concentrations in root exudates and their contribution to AM fungal colonization with strigolactone analogue GR24 additions. In addition, we studied how gene expression patterns related to flavonoid and strigolactone biosynthesis varied among invasive and native populations using comparative genomics, transcriptomics and fluorescent real‐time quantitative PCR. We found that plants from invasive populations had higher concentrations of the strigolactone 5‐deoxystrigol in root exudates that were correlated with higher AM fungal colonization rates, relative to those from native populations. Exogenous applications of GR24, a synthetic analogue of 5‐deoxystrigol, increased AM fungal colonization. We found higher expression of a single gene in flavonoid ( FLS ) and strigolactone ( DAD1 ) biosynthesis pathways increased levels of quercetin and 5‐deoxystrigol in plants from invasive populations, respectively. Synthesis . Understanding the role of genetic evolution in enhancing mutualisms of invasive plants provides new insights into the underlying mechanisms of plant invasion. This study suggests that an invasive plant enhanced its mutualisms by upregulating the expression of key genes related to secondary metabolites in root exudates which stimulate symbiotic relationships with AM fungi. Thus, these findings provide insights into genetic mechanisms that underlie higher AM fungal colonization and enhanced invasive plant performance.