Year: 2020
Type: review
Abstract: Plant pathogens can rapidly overcome resistance of their hosts by mutating key pathogenicity genes encoding for effectors. Pathogen adaptation is fuelled by extensive genetic variability in populations and different strains may not share the same set of genes. Recently, such an intra-specific variation in gene content became formalized as pangenomes distinguishing core genes (i.e. shared) and accessory genes (i.e. lineage or strain-specific). Across pathogens species, key effectors tend to be part of the rapidly evolving accessory genome. Here, we show how the construction and analysis of pathogen pangenomes provide deep insights into the dynamic host adaptation process. We also discuss how pangenomes should ideally be built and how geography, niche and lifestyle likely determine pangenome sizes.
Source: Current Opinion in Plant Biology
Authors: Thomas Badet, Daniel Croll
Institution: University of Neuchâtel
Language: English
Subfield: Plant Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,300
OpenAlex ID: W3029954871