Lotus japonicus VIH2 is an inositol pyrophosphate synthase that regulates arbuscular mycorrhiza
- Kiran Raj
- Verena Gaugler
- Mengsi Lu
- Maren Schädel
- Philipp Gaugler
- Charlotte M. M. Grothaus
- Ulrike A. Jochimsen
- Athanasios Makris
- Simon M. Bartsch
- Anna M. Frentzen
- Guizhen Liu
- Michael Harings
- Dorothea Fiedler
- Henning J. Jessen
- Gabriel Schaaf
- Martina K. Ried-Lasi
2026-05-22
Plant yield is often maximized by the extensive use of mineral fertilizers, which, however, has severe environmental consequences. Phosphate is particularly problematic as it represents a globally limited resource, and its runoff and soil erosion threaten open water bodies. Many crops engage in arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis with nutrient-acquiring fungi, aiding in the uptake of phosphate and other mineral nutrients. However, AM colonization is strongly reduced under high soil phosphate levels. A mechanistic understanding of phosphate sensing, phosphate starvation responses, and their connection to AM remains incomplete. Here, we show that, in Lotus japonicus , low-abundant, energy-rich inositol pyrophosphates act as important regulatory signals of AM, orchestrating the cross-talk between phosphate starvation responses, nutrient acquisition, and plant root endosymbiosis. These findings hold promise for breeding nutrient-efficient crops.