Prediction of the Diplocarpon rosae secretome reveals candidate genes for effectors and virulence factors

authored by: Enzo Neu, Thomas Debener
Abstract: Rose black spot is one of the most severe diseases of field-grown roses. Though R-genes have been characterised, little information is known about the molecular details of the interaction between pathogen and host. Based on the recently published genome sequence of the black spot fungus, we analysed gene models with various bioinformatic tools utilising the expression data of infected host tissues, which led to the prediction of 827 secreted proteins. A significant proportion of the predicted secretome comprises enzymes for the degradation of cell wall components, several of which were highly expressed during the first infection stages. As the secretome comprises major factors determining the ability of the fungus to colonise its host, we focused our further analyses on predicted effector candidates. In total, 52 sequences of 251 effector candidates matched several bioinformatic criteria of effectors, contained a Y/F/WxC motif, and did not match annotated proteins from other fungi. Additional sequences were identified based on their high expression levels during the penetration/haustorium formation phase and/or by matching known effectors from other fungi. Several host genotypes that are resistant to the sequenced isolate but differ in the R-genes responsible for this resistance are available. The combination of these genotypes with functional studies of the identified candidate effectors will allow the mechanisms of the rose black spot interaction to be dissected.
Organisation(s): Institute of Plant Genetics
Type: Article
Journal: Fungal biology
Volume: 123
Pages: 231-239
No. of pages: 9
ISSN: 1878-6146
Publication date: 03.2019
Publication status: Published
Peer reviewed: Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas: Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics, Genetics, Infectious Diseases
Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
Electronic version(s): https://doi.org/10.1016/j.funbio.2018.12.003 (Access: Open)
https://doi.org/10.15488/4714 (Access: Open)