Effector Genomics Accelerates Discovery and Functional Profiling of Potato Disease Resistance and Phytophthora Infestans Avirulence Genes Avr and R Gene Discovery
2008

Accelerating Potato Disease Resistance Discovery

Sample size: 10 publication 10 minutes Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Vleeshouwers Vivianne G. A. A., Rietman Hendrik, Krenek Pavel, Champouret Nicolas, Young Carolyn, Oh Sang-Keun, Wang Miqia, Bouwmeester Klaas, Vosman Ben, Visser Richard G. F., Jacobsen Evert, Govers Francine, Kamoun Sophien, Van der Vossen Edwin A. G.

Primary Institution: Wageningen UR Plant Breeding, Wageningen, The Netherlands

Hypothesis

P. infestans RXLR effectors are candidate Avr genes that can be functionally profiled on Solanum to detect cognate R genes.

Conclusion

Effector genomics enables the rapid discovery and functional profiling of late blight resistance genes in potatoes.

Supporting Evidence

  • 54 RXLR effectors were profiled for their ability to activate innate immunity in wild Solanum species.
  • Specific RXLR effectors triggered hypersensitivity in resistant but not in susceptible potato genotypes.
  • Genetic studies showed cosegregation of resistance to P. infestans and response to identified effectors.

Takeaway

Scientists found a way to quickly identify genes that help potatoes resist a harmful disease by studying proteins from the disease-causing organism.

Methodology

The study involved expressing 54 candidate RXLR effectors in late blight resistant Solanum plants to identify effector responses.

Limitations

The PVX agroinfection method may lead to false positives due to high expression levels of single effectors.

Participant Demographics

The study involved various wild Solanum species and potato cultivars.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0002875

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