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ARS Home » Midwest Area » West Lafayette, Indiana » Crop Production and Pest Control Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #265907
Title: Mycosphaerella comparative genomics reveals chromosome dynamics, genome evolution and stealth pathogenesis

Author
item Goodwin, Stephen - Steve
item DHILLON, BRAHAM - Purdue University
item BEN M"BAREK, SARRAH - Wageningen University And Research Center
item GRIGORIEV, IGOR - Department Of Energy Joint Genome
item KEMA, GERT H. - Wageningen University And Research Center

Submitted to: American Phytopathological Society Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/1/2011
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Mycosphaerella graminicola causes septoria tritici blotch, one of the most important diseases of wheat worldwide. Previous analyses showed that populations of this species are extremely variable and that polymorphisms for chromosome length and number can be generated during meiosis. To better understand the genetic basis for genomic plasticity, the genomes of M. graminicola and the related banana pathogen M. fijiensis were sequenced by the Joint Genome Institute. The finished genome of M. graminicola had 13 core chromosomes and a dispensome of eight chromosomes that were different from those in the core for every parameter measured. Comparison with sequences of related species revealed that the dispensome probably originated by ancient horizontal transfer from an unknown donor, and has been maintained through at least one speciation event. Content (genes and transposons) on the core set is conserved among species and 13 seems to be the basic chromosome number in Mycosphaerella. Content on the eight dispensable chromosomes is conserved within populations but not within individuals, and some parts of the dispensome occur at lower frequency than others. Species of Mycosphaerella contain fewer genes for cell wall-degrading enzymes compared to other plant pathogens and may metabolize proteins rather than carbohydrates during the biotrophic phase of growth. Stealth pathogenicity may have evolved to avoid detection by the host, possibly from an endophytic ancestor.