Transcriptome analyses during root colonization by beneficial or pathogenic Colletotrichum tofieldiae strains

Plant-associated fungi assume different lifestyles within plants, but it is unclear how a fungal strain switches among different lifestyles under changing host environments. In contrast to the reported beneficial root fungus C. tofieldiae (Ct) strain promoting plant growth of A. thaliana under phosphate limiting conditions, we show that one Ct strain (Ct3) behaving as a pathogen can severely inhibit plant growth. To elucidate and address the commonalities and differences between pathogenic and beneficial life-styles in plant-associated Ct, we conducted transcriptome analysis using A. thaliana roots inoculated with beneficial Ct (Ct61, or Ct4), pathogenic Ct3, or neutral KHC at 10 dpi or 24 dpi under normal-Pi (625 uM KH2PO4) or low-Pi (50 uM KH2PO4).