Effector specialization in a lineage of the Irish potato famine pathogen.
Accelerated gene evolution is a hallmark of pathogen adaptation following a host jump. Here, we describe the biochemical basis of adaptation and specialization of a plant pathogen effector after its colonization of a new host. Orthologous protease inhibitor effectors from the Irish potato famine pathogen, Phytophthora infestans, and its sister species, Phytophthora mirabilis, which is responsible for infection of Mirabilis jalapa, are adapted to protease targets unique to their respective host plants. Amino acid polymorphisms in both the inhibitors and their target proteases underpin this biochemical specialization. Our results link effector specialization to diversification and speciation of this plant pathogen.
The Sainsbury Laboratory, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK.
Suomeng
S
Dong
Remco
R
Stam
Liliana M
LM
Cano
Jing
J
Song
Jan
J
Sklenar
Kentaro
K
Yoshida
Tolga O
TO
Bozkurt
Ricardo
R
Oliva
Zhenyu
Z
Liu
Miaoying
M
Tian
Joe
J
Win
Mark J
MJ
Banfield
Alexandra M E
AM
Jones
Renier A L
RA
van der Hoorn
Sophien
S
Kamoun
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence / Q000235:genetics; D019943:Amino Acid Substitution / Q000235:genetics; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D039282:Mirabilis / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D010802:Phylogeny; D055750:Phytophthora infestans / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D053491:Proteinase Inhibitory Proteins, Secretory / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011198:Solanum tuberosum / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D013045:Species Specificity
D010940:Plant Proteins; D053491:Proteinase Inhibitory Proteins, Secretory