The reduced mycorrhizal colonization (rmc) tomato mutant is unable to form
mycorrhiza and is more susceptible to Fusarium wilt. The rmc mutant has a
chromosomal deletion affecting five genes, one of which is similar to
CYCLOPS. Loss of this gene is the cause for non-mycorrhizality in rmc, but
not the enhanced Fusarium wilt susceptibility.



The team of Cahya Prihatna from the University of Western Australia studied
a second gene in the rmc deletion, designated Solyc08g075770, commonly
expressed in roots. Analyses show that Solyc08g075770 encodes a small
transmembrane protein with phosphorylation and glycosylation sites. It is
predicted to function in transmembrane ion transport and/or as a cell
surface receptor.



CRISPR-Cas9 Solyc08g075770 knockout mutants exhibited Fusarium wilt
susceptibility like rmc, suggesting that the tomato Solyc08g075770 functions
in Fusarium wilt tolerance.

This is the first study to show that Solyc08g075770 is a contributor to the
tolerance to Fusarium wilt which was lost in the rmc mutant.



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