Pathogenicity determinants in smut fungi revealed by genome comparison

Science. 2010 Dec 10;330(6010):1546-8. doi: 10.1126/science.1195330.

Abstract

Biotrophic pathogens, such as the related maize pathogenic fungi Ustilago maydis and Sporisorium reilianum, establish an intimate relationship with their hosts by secreting protein effectors. Because secreted effectors interacting with plant proteins should rapidly evolve, we identified variable genomic regions by sequencing the genome of S. reilianum and comparing it with the U. maydis genome. We detected 43 regions of low sequence conservation in otherwise well-conserved syntenic genomes. These regions primarily encode secreted effectors and include previously identified virulence clusters. By deletion analysis in U. maydis, we demonstrate a role in virulence for four previously unknown diversity regions. This highlights the power of comparative genomics of closely related species for identification of virulence determinants.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Conserved Sequence
  • Evolution, Molecular*
  • Fungal Proteins / genetics
  • Fungal Proteins / metabolism
  • Gene Deletion
  • Genome, Fungal*
  • Host-Pathogen Interactions / genetics*
  • Molecular Sequence Annotation
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Multigene Family
  • Plant Diseases / microbiology*
  • RNA Interference
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA
  • Synteny
  • Ustilaginales / genetics
  • Ustilaginales / pathogenicity*
  • Ustilago / genetics
  • Ustilago / pathogenicity
  • Virulence / genetics
  • Virulence Factors / genetics*
  • Zea mays / microbiology*

Substances

  • Fungal Proteins
  • Virulence Factors

Associated data

  • GENBANK/FQ311430
  • GENBANK/FQ311431
  • GENBANK/FQ311432
  • GENBANK/FQ311433
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