A Short Review on the Co-evolution between Endophytic Fungi and their Host Plants

Abstract

Endophytic fungi are eukaryotic cells that have co-evolved with numerous plants for symbiotic and mutualistic association. Since centuries, these endophytic fungi are known to support and protect their host plants by secreting various secondary metabolites beneficial to the host plants. These secondary metabolites have been well studied for their roles as anti-cancer, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative agent’s therapeutics. Apart from the therapeutic roles, some endophytic fungi such as Talaromyces argentinensis, Aspergillus welwitschiae, Piriformospora indica, Botryosphaeria ramose, Penicillium chrysogenum, and Fusarium oxysporums are known to possess secondary metabolites that confer defense against herbivory, upregulate nutrient and water uptake, and provide protection against wound and injury to the host plants. This review describes the various classes of Endophytic fungi that possess certain factors involved in the co-evolution of these endophytic fungi with their host plants. The implications of secondary metabolites in mediating cellular processes in host plants and acting as therapeutics which requires further investigation are also discussed in this article.