The genetics underlying natural variation of plant–plant interactions, a beloved but forgotten member of the family of biotic interactions

Despite the importance of plant–plant interactions on crop yield and plant community (植物群落) dynamics, our understanding of the genetic and molecular bases underlying natural variation of plant–plant interactions is largely limited in comparison with other types of biotic interactions. By listing 63 quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping and global gene expression studies based on plants directly challenged by other plants, we explored whether the genetic architecture (遗传结构) and the function of the candidate genes underlying natural plant–plant interactions depend on the type of interactions between two plants (competition 竞争 versus commensalism 共栖 versus reciprocal helping 相互帮助 versus asymmetry 不对等). The 16 transcriptomic studies are unevenly distributed between competitive interactions (n = 12) and asymmetric interactions (n = 4, all focusing on response to parasitic plants 寄生植物). By contrast, 17 and 30 QTL studies were identified for competitive interactions and asymmetric interactions (either weed 杂草 suppressive ability or response to parasitic plants), respectively. Surprisingly, no studies have been carried out on the identification of genetic and molecular bases underlying natural variation in positive interactions (正相互作用). The candidate genes underlying natural plant–plant interactions can be classified into seven categories of plant function that have been identified in artificial environments simulating (模拟) plant–plant interactions either frequently (photosynthesis, hormones), only recently (cell wall modification and degradation, defense pathways against pathogens) or rarely (ABC transporters, histone modification and meristem identity/life history traits). Finally, we introduce several avenues (途径) that need to be explored in the future to obtain a thorough (全面的) understanding of the genetic and molecular bases underlying plant–plant interactions within the context of realistic community complexity.

植物与植物间的相互作用在作物产量和植物群落动态中发挥重要作用，但相对于植物与其他生物之间的相互作用，我们对于植物与植物间相互作用的自然变异潜在的遗传和分子机制还所知甚少。本文通过数量性状位点（QTL）图谱和基因表达谱对植物与植物间竞争、共栖、互助及不对称四种不同类型的相互作用潜在的候选基因进行了功能和遗传结构鉴定。16个转录组研究在不同类型的相互作用间不均衡分布，其中12个转录组研究聚焦竞争关系的相互作用；另外还有4个转录组研究聚焦不对称的相互作用，主要针对寄生植物的响应。相反，对于竞争和不对称相互作用，分别鉴定了17和30个QTL，分别是杂草抑制能力和寄生植物响应。有趣的是，并未有研究鉴定正相互作用中自然变异的遗传和分子基础。植物与植物间相互作用的候选基因可分为七个不同植物功能类别，这在之前人工的模拟的植物间相互作用环境中已经鉴定，包括经常发生的光合作用和激素、偶尔发生的细胞壁修饰和降解及病原菌防御通路、很少发生的ABC转运体和组蛋白修饰及分生组织特性/生活史位点。最后，作者介绍了几条途径需要在未来的研究中深入讨论，以对植物间相互作用潜在的遗传和分子机制有更加全面的理解。

通讯：Fabrice Roux (https://www6.toulouse.inra.fr/lipm_eng/Research/Ecological-genomics-of-adaptation-in-plant-communities/Members)

个人简介：2004年，法国国家科学研究院，博士。

doi: 10.1111/tpj.13799