The University of Tokyo · Agricultural and Biological Sciences
Professor Chunlan Lian's research lab focuses on plant-microbe interactions, particularly the roles of ectomycorrhizal fungi in enhancing host plant resilience to environmental stresses such as drought, heavy metal toxicity, and high light. The lab investigates molecular mechanisms underlying stress tolerance, with an emphasis on transcription factors (e.g., BBX and MYB) regulating secondary metabolism and stress-responsive pathways in forest trees like poplar, pine, and fir. Using integrative approaches combining molecular biology, population genetics, and ecological modeling, the lab explores how symbiotic fungi and host plants co-evolve in challenging environments, especially in degraded or mine-affected ecosystems.
Figures are computed from collected data and may differ slightly.
Flavonoids, which modulate plant resistance to various stresses, can be induced by high light. B-box (BBX) transcription factors (TFs) play crucial roles in the transcriptional regulation of flavonoids biosynthesis, but limited information is available on the association of BBX proteins with high light. We present a detailed overview of 45 Populus trichocarpa BBX TFs. Phylogenetic relationships, gene structure, tissue-specific expression patterns and expression profiles were determined under 10
To advance our understanding of the effects of inoculation with ectomycorrhizal fungi (EMF) on seedling colonization in mine wastelands, we conducted a field experiment in a copper tailing. Six-month-old seedlings of Japanese red pine (Pinus densiflora) and oak (Quercus variabilis) separately inoculated with three EMF species (Pisolithus sp., Cenococcum geophilum, Laccaria laccata) were transplanted to the copper tailing. The survival rates of tree seedlings were monitored monthly, and growth (b
Fallen logs are the main regeneration sites for Abies sachalinensis (Sachalin fir) in subboreal forests in Japan. We surveyed the spatial genetic structure of different demographic stages in a 4.29-ha natural population of A. sachalinensis. Genetic structure was significant at short distances throughout all stages in this wind-dispersed conifer. To evaluate the effects of fallen-log-dependent recruitment on demography and spatial genetic structure, we conducted parentage analysis of offspring wi
<i>Cenococcum geophilum</i> (<i>C. geophilum</i>) is a widely distributed ectomycorrhizal fungus that plays a crucial role in forest ecosystems worldwide. However, the specific ecological factors influencing its global distribution and how climate change will affect its range are still relatively unknown. In this study, we used the MaxEnt model optimized with the kuenm package to simulate changes in the distribution pattern of <i>C. geophilum</i> from the Last Glacial Maximum to the future based
MYB transcription factors have a wide range of functions in plant growth, hormone signaling, salt, and drought tolerances. In this study, two homologous transcription factors, <i>PtrMYB55</i> and <i>PtrMYB121,</i> were isolated and their functions were elucidated. Tissue expression analysis revealed that <i>PtrMYB55</i> and <i>PtrMYB121</i> had a similar expression pattern, which had the highest expression in stems. Their expression continuously increased with the growth of poplar, and the expre
The impact of drought stress on plant growth in arid regions is a critical concern, necessitating the exploration of strategies to enhance plant drought resistance, particularly during the early stages of drought stress. This study focuses on the ectomycorrhizal fungus <i>Cenococcum geophilum</i>, renowned for its extensive genetic diversity and broad host compatibility, making it a crucial ally for host plants facing external stresses. We utilized <i>Pinus massoniana</i> seedlings inoculated wi
The impact of drought stress on plant growth in arid regions is a critical concern, necessitating the exploration of strategies to enhance plant drought resistance, particularly during the early stages of drought stress. This study focuses on the ectomycorrhizal fungus Cenococcum geophilum, renowned for its extensive genetic diversity and broad host compatibility, making it a crucial ally for host plants facing external stresses. We utilized approximately 5-month-old Pinus massoniana seedlings i
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