Zusammenfassung
The root systems of most terrestrial plants are confronted with a huge
variety of invasive microorganisms that either can cause detrimental
effects or in case of mutualistic symbiosis provide benefits for the
host. In either case, establishment of the parasitic or mutualistic
interaction is the result of a highly sophisticated cross-talk between
the partners. Despite the ecological importance of mutualistic
symbioses, the molecular events accompanied by this phenomenon are far
from being understood. Piriformospora indica represents a recently
discovered fungus that transfers considerable beneficial impact to its
host plants. In this review, the current knowledge on this novel
symbiosis is summarized by focusing on its biological effects in hosts
and the role of programmed cell death in the establishment of the
mutualistic interaction.
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