Epigenetic control of effector gene expression in the plant pathogenic fungus Leptosphaeria maculans.

ABSTRACT: Plant pathogens secrete an arsenal of small secreted proteins (SSPs) acting as effectors that modulate host immunity to facilitate infection. SSP-encoding genes are often located in particular genomic environments and show waves of concerted expression at diverse stages of plant infection. To date, little is known about the regulation of their expression. The genome of the Ascomycete Leptosphaeria maculans comprises alternating gene-rich GC-isochores and gene-poor AT-isochores. The AT-isochores harbor mosaics of transposable elements, encompassing one-third of the genome, and are enriched in putative effector genes that present similar expression patterns, namely no expression or low-level expression during axenic cultures compared to strong induction of expression during primary infection

SUBMITTER: Soyer JL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3945186 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature