The aim of this project is to understand the molecular mechanisms of plant flavonoids in nitrogen fixing symbioses of legumes.

Flavonoids are a class of secondary plant metabolites that have a range of functions in signalling, defence, and gene and protein regulation. We are investigating how certain plant flavonoids control root symbioses as regulators of nodule development, infection and rhizosphere communication. As one of the many functions of flavonids involves the defence againt pathogens and parasites, we are also interesting in the dual effect of flavonids on symbiosis and defence. We are using a combination of metabolomics, gene silencing and microscopy to manipulate the flavonoid pathway and unravel their targets in plants.

Recent key publications

• Putra R, Waterman JM, Mathesius U. Wojtalewicz D., Powell JR, Hartley SE, Johnson SN (2022) Benefits of silicon-enhanced root nodulation in a model legume are contingent upon rhizobial efficacy. Plant and Soil 477: 201–217
• Costa SR, Ng JLP, Mathesius U (2021) Interaction of symbiotic rhizobia and parasitic root-knot nematodes in legume roots – from molecular regulation to field application. Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions 35: 470-490
• Chin S, Behm CA, Mathesius U (2018) Functions of flavonoids in plant-nematode interactions. Plants 7: 85
• Ng JLP, Hassan, S, Truong TT, Hocart CH, Laffont C, Frugier F, Mathesius U (2015) Flavonoids and auxin transport inhibitors rescue symbiotic nodulation in the Medicago truncatula cytokinin perception mutant cre1. Plant Cell 27: 2210-2226
• Hassan S and Mathesius U (2012) The role of flavonoids in root-rhizosphere signaling - opportunities and challenges for improving plant-microbe interactions. Journal of Experimental Botany 63: 3429-3444.
• Plet J, Wasson A, Ariel F, Le Signor C, Baker D, Mathesius U, Crespi M, and Frugier F (2011) MtCRE1-dependent cytokinin signaling integrates bacterial and plant cues to coordinate symbiotic nodule organogenesis in Medicago truncatula. Plant Journal 65, 622–633
• Laffont C, Blanchet S, Lapierre C, Brocard L, Ratet P, Crespi M, Mathesius U and Frugier F (2010) The Compact Root Architecture 1 gene regulates lignification, flavonoid production and polar auxin transport in Medicago truncatula. Plant Physiology 153: 1597-1607
• Wasson AP, Ramsay K, Jones MGK, Mathesius U (2009) Differing requirements for flavonoids during the formation of lateral roots, nodules and root knot nematode galls in Medicago truncatula. New Phytologist 183: 167–179
• Wasson, A.P., Pellerone, F.I. and Mathesius U. (2006) Silencing the flavonoid pathway in Medicago truncatula inhibits root nodule formation and prevents auxin transport regulation by rhizobia. Plant Cell 18, 1617-1629.