Gene Gain and Loss during Evolution of Obligate Parasitism in the White Rust Pathogen of Arabidopsis
2011
Gene Gain and Loss in White Rust Pathogen of Arabidopsis
publication
Evidence: moderate
Author Information
Author(s): Kemen E, Gardiner A, Schultz-Larsen T, Kemen AC, Balmuth AL
Hypothesis
The evolution of biotrophy in oomycetes involves gene loss and the suppression of host defenses.
Conclusion
The study reveals that obligate biotrophy in oomycetes is linked to the loss of biosynthetic pathways and the development of new proteins that can suppress plant defenses.
Supporting Evidence
- Obligate biotrophy in oomycetes involves losing the ability to synthesize certain nutrients.
- New proteins that suppress host defenses were identified in the study.
- The evolution of biotrophy occurred independently in two groups of oomycetes.
Takeaway
Some tiny organisms need to live on plants to survive, and this study shows how they change over time to do that better by losing some abilities and gaining new tricks.
Methodology
The researchers sequenced the genome of the white rust A. laibachii and compared its genes with those of other oomycetes to identify gene losses and gains.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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