Exploring the diversity of microbes and natural products from fungus-growing termite tripartite symbiosis.

ABSTRACT: The fungus-growing termite is considered a distinct ecological niche because it involves a tripartite symbiosis between the termite host, gut microflora, and the in vitro fungus Termitomyces, which has led to the expansion of highly organized and complex societies among termite colonies. Tripartite symbiosis in fungus-growing termites may promote unique microbes with distinctive metabolic pathways that may serve as valuable resources for developing novel antimicrobial therapeutic options. Recent research on complex tripartite symbioses has revealed a plethora of previously unknown natural products that may have ecological roles in signaling, communication, or defense responses. Natural products produced by symbionts may act as crucial intermediaries between termites and their

SUBMITTER: Shoaib M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11611000 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature