Mutualist-pathogen co-colonisation modulates phosphoinositide signatures at host intracellular interfaces

SUMMARY The host membrane that surrounds intracellular microbes forms a critical interface influencing whether interactions result in mutualism or pathogenesis. While phosphoinositide identities differ between pathogen and mutualist interface membranes, it is unclear if these are modulated during co-colonisation. To address this, we generated Nicotiana benthamiana plants expressing biosensors for PI4P and PI(4,5)P2 and imaged root colonisation by the pathogenic oomycete Phytophthora palmivora and the mutualistic fungus Funneliformis mosseae. Binary host-microbe interactions revealed distinct patterns: PI(4,5)P2 was tip-enriched at mutualist structures but evenly distributed around pathogen structures, while PI4P was absent from pathogen-associated membranes but present at mutualist interfaces. Strikingly, co-colonisation altered host membrane identity, triggering PI4P recruitment at pathogen haustoria, and enhanced resistance to P. palmivora. These findings reveal that phosphoinositide signatures distinguish pathogenic and mutualistic interfaces and are dynamically remodelled during co-colonisation, likely influencing interaction outcomes. Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest.