Pseudogenes and host specialization in the emergent bacterial plant pathogen <i>Xylella fastidiosa</i>.

ABSTRACT: Pseudogenes are regarded as "junk" DNA, representing vestigial functions no longer needed for fitness. Accordingly, a higher number of pseudogenes in a bacterial human pathogen was previously hypothesized to be a hallmark of host specialists. In this study, we tested this hypothesis on the emergent bacterial plant pathogen Xylella fastidiosa (Xf) to link pseudogene makeup and host specificity. Xf is an ideal subject for these studies by being a xylem-limited pathogen that underwent extensive genome reduction. Using natural host range data of 151 strains and Pseudofinder analysis on Xf whole genome sequences, we observed that Xf subsp. sandyi had the highest pseudogene content, followed by subsp. morus, while subsp. pauca, fastidios

SUBMITTER: Kaur N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12093968 | biostudies-literature | 2025 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature