Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / Frankia is one of two partners in the globally distributed N2-fixing actinorhizal symbiosis between this filamentous soil-dwelling actinomycete and almost 300 species of host plants from eight diverse angiosperm families. The actinorhizal symbiosis is a major contributor to nitrogen reservoirs in terrestrial ecosystems, and allows actinorhizal plants to perform the role of pioneers in newly formed and nitrogen-poor soils. Frankia are differentiated into four main host-infection groups (1: Alnus/Comptonia/Myrica-infective, 2: Rosaceae/Datisca/Coriaria-infective, 3: Elaeagnaceae/Gymnostoma-infective and 4: Casuarina-infective), and there is a large degree of phylogenetic clustering within these HIGs. Of these host lineages, species from the genus Morella, from the family Myricaceae, are notable as they have the ability to establish effective partnerships with Frankia from more than one host-infection group. Africa houses 16 of the world’s 33 currently accepted Morella species, and Morella is the continents only genus containing endemic actinorhizal species. Despite this, the diversity of Frankia in symbiosis with African Morella has never been explored. To address this lack of knowledge I investigated Frankia in root nodules of six Morella species from the Cape flora of Southern Africa, as well as in rhizosphere soils from selected hosts. Partial nif H gene fragments recovered from 202 root nodules yielded 26 unique sequences, which phylogenetic analysis assigned to Frankia Cluster I (the Alnus host infection group) and Frankia Cluster III (the Elaeagnus host infection group)1. Nineteen nif H sequences were assigned to three sub-clusters within Frankia Cluster III (CC-3, CC-4 and CC-5), and the remaining seven sequences to two sub-clusters within Cluster I (CC-1 and CC-2), one of which (CC-1) is novel to the current study. Identical sequences were recovered from nodules collected at geographically distant locations, suggesting a cosmopolitan distribution within the region for some subgroups from both clusters, but more localized distribution (or tighter host-specificity) for others. Soil pH correlated with strain presence in nodules, with Cluster I sequences being associated with hosts growing in acidic soils exclusively. Furthermore, three Morella species from the Cape flora of southern Africa are promiscuous in their natural habitats, with host infection group influenced by habitat edaphic conditions. In order to explore the correlation between soil characteristics and Frankia presence in nodules, nif H soil libraries were created from selected host rhizospheres. While Cluster III sequences from these libraries corresponded closely to sequences found in nodules from the same sites, the dominant Cape Cluster I group (CC-1) was absent from all six libraries, even when present in nodules recovered from the same soils. Whether this was due to low abundance of -but strong selection for- these strains by hosts under particular conditions, or due to the absence in soil of hyphal forms of these strains could not be determined. Cluster III strains are known to be better able to persist saprophytically than their relatives from other host-infection groups. A second group of Cluster I strains, detected at only one sampling site, was present in that site's corresponding soil library. An Alnus-infective subgroup, cluster AI, which has been detected in soils collected on five continents, was also detected in the of the Cape soil libraries but never in nodules, raising questions as to this group’s ability to persist in soil in the absence of known suitable hosts. Ten Frankia strains representing all three of the numerically dominant subgroups (CC-1, CC-3 and CC-4, found in 186 of 202 root nodules) were isolated from four Morella species. These isolates represent six of the most abundant unique nodular nif H sequences found in the field survey, and display morphological and cultural characteristics typical of Frankia. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed their identity as Frankia, and multilocus analysis revealed that the isolates belong to three genospecies. Two of these genospecies fall into existing groups within the Elaeagnus-infective Cluster III, while the remaining genospecies is a novel addition to the otherwise well-described Alnus-infective Cluster I. Whole genome sequencing of a representative from each of the Cape genospecies allowed for basic annotation and genome descriptions, which agreed in each case with what has been previously found for strains from the Elaeagnus and Alnus host-infection groups, respectively. Similarly, the organization of nitrogenase gene clusters in each of the sequenced strains mirrors that found in other strains from their respective host-infection groups, indicating that this gene cluster is highly conserved in different Frankia lineages. For the first time the diversity of Frankia nodulating endemic African Morella, and present in root-associated soils of these species, has been explored. This is also the first study to report isolation and description of Frankia strains from actinorhizal plants endemic to Africa.

Les deux systèmes nodulaires symbiotiques les plus importants au niveau agronomique et environnemental sont, d'une part, les symbioses Rhizobium-légumineuses qui concernent environ 14 000 espèces, et d'autre part, les symbioses entre les plantes actinorhiziennes (environ 200 espèces) et l'actinomycète du sol Frankia. La plupart des plantes actinorhiziennes sont capables de fixer des quantités d'azote comparable à celles des Légumineuses ; ce sont généralement des plantes pionnières capables de coloniser des environnements pauvres en éléments minéraux. Elles représentent donc un atout écologique important. Si la symbiose Rhizobium-légumineuse est très étudiée, les mécanismes moléculaires à l'origine de la formation des nodules actinorhiziens restent actuellement peu connus. Ainsi, chez les Légumineuses, les flavonoïdes sont des molécules-clefs du processus de nodulation, alors que chez les plantes actinorhiziennes, l'implication des flavonoïdes dans la nodulation reste imprécise. L'objectif de cette thèse était de comprendre l'implication des flavonoïdes au cours de l'interaction symbiotique entre l'arbre actinorhizien tropical Casuarina glauca et son symbiote Frankia. L'analyse d'une base de données d'unigènes couplée à celle de données d'expression de puces à ADN a permis l'identification de huit genes de C. glauca impliqués dans la voie de biosynthèse des flavonoïdes. L'étude de leur expression dans les racines par PCR quantitative au cours d'une cinétique d'infection de C. glauca par Frankia a montré que les transcrits de la chalcone isomerase et de l'isoflavone reductase s'accumulaient très tôt après l'inoculation, suggérant ainsi une implication des isoflavonoïdes dans la symbiose actinorhizienne. Nous avons alors utilisé une stratégie d'ARN interférent pour réduire l'expression du gène de la chalcone synthase, la première enzyme de la voie de biosynthèse des flavonoïdes. La réduction de l'expression du gène de la chalcone synthase a provoqué une réduction significative du taux de flavonoïdes dans les racines ainsi qu'une très forte diminution du taux de nodulation chez les plantes transformées. Une restauration du taux de nodulation a pu être obtenu en présence de naringenin, une molécule centrale de la voie de biosynthèse des flavonoïdes.Nos résultats apportent donc, pour la première fois, une évidence directe de l'implication forte des flavonoïdes au cours de la nodulation des plantes actinorhiziennes. / Nitrogen-fixing root nodulation, confined to four plant orders, encompasses more than 14,000 Leguminosae species, and approximately 200 actinorhizal species forming symbioses with rhizobia and Frankia bacterial species, respectively. Most actinorhizal plants are capable of high rates of nitrogen fixation comparable to the nitrogen fixing symbiosis between legumes and Rhizobium. As a consequence, these plants are able to grow in poor and disturbed soils and are important elements in plant community worldwide. The basic knowledge of the symbiotic interaction between Frankia and actinorhizal plants is still poorly understood, although it offers striking differences with the Rhizobium-legume symbiosis. In the symbiosis between legumes and Rhizobium, flavonoids are key molecules for nodulation. In actinorhizal plants, the involvement of flavonoids in symbiosis is poorly understood, but because of the similarities of the infection process between some actinorhizal plants and legumes, flavonoids were proposed to act as plant signals for the bacteria Frankia. The objective of this thesis was to investigate the involvement of flavonoids during the actinorhizal nodulation process resulting from the interaction between the tropical tree Casuarina glauca and the actinomycete Frankia.Eight C. glauca genes involved in flavonoid biosynthesis were identified from a unigene database and their expression patterns were monitored by quantitative real-time PCR during the nodulation time course. Our results showed that chalcone isomerase and isoflavone reductase transcripts accumulated preferentially early after inoculation with Frankia, suggesting thus for the first time that isoflavonoids are implicated in actinorhizal nodulation. To go deeper in the understanding of the role of these molecules in actinorhizal symbiosis, we used RNA interference strategy to silence chalcone synthase, the enzyme that catalyzes the first committed step of the flavonoid pathway. Knockdown of chalcone synthase expression led to a strong reduction of specific flavonoids levels and resulted in a severely impaired nodulation. Nodule formation could be rescued by supplementation of plants with naringenin, which is an upstream intermediate in flavonoid biosynthesis. Our results provide, for the first time, direct evidence of a strong implication of flavonoids during actinorhizal nodulation.

Frankia est une actinobactérie capable d'établir une symbiose racinaire avec les plantes actinorhiziennes dont le genre Alnus. Seulement certaines souches de Frankia sont capables de sporuler in planta, ce qui est illustré par la présence (Sp+) ou l'absence (Sp–) de sporanges dans les cellules végétales de la nodosité. C’est à notre connaissance un cas unique de sporulation endophyte. Cependant la description et l’interprétation écologique de ce trait d’histoire de vie (THV) original étaient incomplètes. Notre contribution à l’étude de la sporulation in planta des Frankia infectives de l’aulne intègre des approches théorique, descriptive et expérimentale, pour préciser (i) l’influence relative de la souche bactérienne, de l’espèce de la plante-hôte et des conditions pédoclimatiques sur ce THV, (ii) le rôle de la variabilité environnementale sur la distribution, la diversité et la sélection du trait, ainsi que (iii) les coûts et bénéfices associés pour les deux partenaires. Nous avons démontré pour la première fois que la sporulation in planta est un THV (i) spécifique de certaines lignées de Frankia, (ii) majeur pour en comprendre l'histoire évolutive et (iii) significativement corrélé à des caractéristiques génétiques des souches. Nous avons également confirmé que l’occurrence du trait varie selon l’environnement. Nous avons enfin établi un modèle de l'évolution du trait abordant sa valeur adaptative. L’ensemble des réflexions menées et des résultats obtenus nous permet de discuter de la sporulation in planta dans le cadre d’un continuum de stratégies symbiotiques, et plus généralement de discuter de l’écologie évolutive des symbioses entre microorganismes et plantes / Frankia sp. is a telluric actinobacteria able to establish a root symbiosis with actinorhizal plant such as Alnus sp. Only some Frankia strains are able to sporulate in-planta, as spores can be present in (Sp+) or absent from (Sp–) the vegetal cells of the root nodule. It is to our knowledge a unique case of endophytic sporulation. However, the description and the ecological interpretation of this original life-history trait (LHT) were scarce. Our contribution to the study of the in-planta sporulation of Alnus-infective Frankia sp. combines theoretical, descriptive and experimental approaches to precise (i) the relative effect of the bacterial strain, the host-plant species and the pedoclimatic conditions on this LHT, (ii) the effect of the of the environmental variability on the distribution, diversity and selection of the trait, and (iii) the associated costs and benefits for the two symbiotic partners. We demonstrated for the first time that the in-planta sporulation is a LHT (i) specific to some Frankia lineages, (ii) major to understand their evolutionary history and (iii) significantly correlated to particular genetic features. We also shown that the occurrence of the trait varies according to the environment We also proposed a model of the evolution of the trait taking its fitness into account. We bring all the previous considerations and results to discuss the inplanta sporulation trait within a continuum of symbiotic strategies and more generally to discuss the evolutionary ecology of plant-microbe symbioses

Les patrons de distribution chez les micro-organismes reposeraient sur leurs capacités à disperser dans le temps et dans l'espace, en lien avec des facteurs abiotiques comme les propriétés du sol, le climat, et des interactions biotiques, notamment avec l'hôte dans le cas des symbiontes, mais aussi sur les traits d'histoire de vie propres aux micro-organismes, telle que la capacité à sporuler. Frankia sp. est une actinobactérie sporulante et fixatrice d'azote à la biogéographie complexe, car vivant à la fois de façon saprophytique dans le sol, en symbiose racinaire (nodosité) avec les plantes actinorhiziennes dont les aulnes (Alnus, Betulaceae). Deux types de souches de Frankia génétiquement différentes ont été décrites dont la distinction phénotypique majeure réside dans la capacité à maintenir (Sp+) ou non (Sp-) leur sporulation in planta. Cette sporulation endophytique est à notre connaissance unique dans un contexte symbiotique et son implication dans la biogéographie de Frankia, reste peu connue. Ces travaux de thèse intègrent à la fois des approches descriptives et expérimentales, sur le terrain et au laboratoire, afin d'accroître la compréhension du rôle écologique de la sporulation in planta de Frankia. Dans un premier temps, nous avons étendu la description de la phylobiogéographie des souches de Frankia Sp+ afin de tester la validité du patron de distribution centré sur les milieux froids des zones de haute altitude et de haute latitude de l'hémisphère nord. Un intérêt tout particulier a été porté sur les aires géographiques où une plus forte diversité de Frankia était attendue, dans la zone d'origine de l'aulne et ses refuges glaciaires. Dans un second temps, nous avons étudié l'influence du partenaire végétal dans la distribution observée des Frankia Sp+ et l'implication du trait Sp+ dans la capacité d'association à l'hôte. Des croisements expérimentaux ont été réalisés au laboratoire afin de découpler les effets de l'espèce-hôte et du climat, et tester les implications du trait Sp+ en termes d'infectivité, compétitivité et spectre d'hôte. Enfin, nous avons étudié les conséquences écosystémiques de l'expansion subalpine du complexe symbiotique Alnus/Frankia, au niveau de la diversité microbienne et du fonctionnement du cycle de l'azote, en fonction du phénotype de sporulation des souches associées. Des analyses pédologiques, en association avec des mesures de nitrification, dénitrification et fixation d'azote, ainsi que des analyses de diversité microbienne (globale et fonctionnelle), ont été réalisées dans différentes aulnaies Sp+, Sp- ou mixte, à différents stades de colonisation de l'aulne. Les résultats obtenus démontrent une prédominance des souches Sp+ associées aux espèces d'aulne des milieux froids sur les 3 continents de la zone Holarctique, avec une diversité nouvelle dans l'aire d'origine et les zones refuges de l'aulne. Les croisements effectués révèlent une infectivité et compétitivité plus forte des Sp+ par rapport aux Sp-. De plus, contrairement aux Sp- à spectre d'hôte très large, les Sp+ présentent un spectre limité entraînant des incompatibilités d'association suggérant une dépendance forte à une espèce-hôte donnée. Les modifications des communautés microbiennes du sol en réponse à l'expansion du complexe symbiotique Alnus/Frankia ont été démontrées, en lien avec la stimulation du cycle de l'azote dans les milieux sub-/alpins. Les premiers résultats sur l'efficience comparée de la fixation d'azote in natura des souches Sp- par rapport aux Sp+ suggèrent que 100% de l'azote de l'aulne est obtenu par le biais de la fixation. Aucun patron n'est mis en évidence entre souches Sp+ et Sp-, suggérant un effet plus complexe de la saisonnalité, de l'âge de l'arbre et de celui de la nodosité. Les résultats obtenus nous permettent de mieux appréhender les facteurs guidant la biogéographie de Frankia et de discuter de l'évolution de ces patrons de distribution en réponse au réchauffement climatique / Microbial biogeography would be based on the ability of microorganisms to disperse across time and space, as a function of abiotic factors such as soil properties, climate, and of biotic interactions, in particular with the host in the case of symbionts, but also on life history traits such as the ability to sporulate. Frankia sp. is a spore-forming and nitrogen-fixing actinobacterium that has a complex biogeography given its abilities for both saprophytic life and root symbiotic interaction with actinorhizal plants such as alders (Alnus, Betulaceae). Two distinct groups of Frankia lineages have been described according to a major phenotypic divergence, based on the presence (Sp+) or the absence (Sp-) of spores in planta.. To the best of our knowledge, this endophytic sporulation is an original trait in a symbiotic context and very little is known about its incidence in Frankia biogeography. This work integrates descriptive and experimental approaches on both field and laboratory areas, in order to improve the understanding of the ecological role of Frankia in planta sporulation. First, we have extended the description of the phylobiogeography of Sp+ Frankia strains to validate the previously proposed distribution pattern focused on cold environements at high altitude or high latitude. A phylogeny has been computed using a large number of nodular strains coming from the 3 continents of the Northern Hemisphere and 10 different Alnus species. Special attention was paid to geographic areas where a higher diversity was expected, in Asia, and in its glacial refuges. Second, we studied the influence of the host-plant on the distribution of Fankia Sp+ and the incidence of Sp+ in the symbiotic interaction. Experimental crosses have been performed to disentangle host and climate effects and to test the incidence of the Sp+ trait in terms of infectivity, competitiveness and host-range. Finally, we studied the ecological consequences of the Alnus/Frankia symbiotic complex, on the microbial diversity and on the nitrogen cycle functionning, with respect to the sporulation of Frankia and to the Alnus expansion on sub-/alpine grasslands. Soils analyses were performed in association with measures of nitrification and denitrification, as well as global and functional microbial diversity analyses, in Sp+, Sp- or mixed alder stands and at different colonization stages. In each part of this work, alder ectomycorhizae were analyzed to compare the distribution pattern between the two symbionts and to highlight potential interactions with the Sp+ trait of Frankia. Our results show the dominance of Sp+ strains in nodules of alder species from cold environments over the 3 continents of the Holarctic zone, with original diversity patterns in alder area of origin and in glacial refuges. Even if these strains are genetically homogenous, host-specific clusters were observed in the phylogeny. Crosses revealed that Sp+ strains were more infective and competitive than Sp- strains. Moreover, unlike Sp- strains that harbor a wide host-range, Sp+ strains have a narrower specificity leading to association’s incompatibilities and suggesting strong host dependence. For the first time, modifications of microbial communities were revealed in response to the Alnus-Frankia symbiotic complex colonization and were linked to a stimulation of the nitrogen cycle in the sub-/alpine grasslands. The first comparative results of nitrogen fixation between Sp+ and Sp- strains in natura suggest a maximal efficiency of fixation, representing almost 100% of the alder nitrogen. However, unlike previous reports in literature, no pattern was observed between Sp+ and Sp- strains, suggesting a complex effect of seasonality, alder age as well as that of nodules. Altogether, the previous results contribute to a better understanding of the Frankia biogeography drivers and allow us to discuss the expected evolution of distribution pattern in response to the global warming