The role of toxin/antidote genes in the maintenance and evolution of accessory chromosomes in Fusarium.

ABSTRACT: The genomic diversity of many fungal species is augmented by accessory chromosomes, which are variably present in individual strains. These genomic regions evolve rapidly, accumulating genes important in pathogenicity but also harbor a significant number of transposable elements. This duality suggests a trade-off: accessory chromosomes provide infection-related benefits while otherwise being deleterious due to their highly repetitive nature and contributions to genomic instability. Despite this, accessory chromosomes often appear to be stably maintained even when strains are grown on media, with no plant host. Previously, we had observed that genes homologous to meiotic drive toxin/antidote proteins from Podospora anserina (Spoks) are abundant on accessory chromosomes in various Fusarium s

SUBMITTER: Sandell L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12693581 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature