AI Article Synopsis
- Accelerated gene evolution helps pathogens adapt to new hosts.
- Researchers studied how a specific plant pathogen, Phytophthora infestans, became specialized after moving to a new host plant.
- Differences in amino acids between protease inhibitors (effectors) and their target proteases are key to this adaptation, illustrating how pathogens can evolve and diversify when colonizing different plants.
Article Abstract
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.
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| http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.1246300 | DOI Listing |
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