Comparative Genomics of Smut Pathogens: Insights From Orphans and Positively Selected Genes Into Host Specialization.

ABSTRACT: Host specialization is a key evolutionary process for the diversification and emergence of new pathogens. However, the molecular determinants of host range are poorly understood. Smut fungi are biotrophic pathogens that have distinct and narrow host ranges based on largely unknown genetic determinants. Hence, we aimed to expand comparative genomics analyses of smut fungi by including more species infecting different hosts and to define orphans and positively selected genes to gain further insights into the genetics basis of host specialization. We analyzed nine lineages of smut fungi isolated from eight crop and non-crop hosts: maize, barley, sugarcane, wheat, oats, Zizania latifolia (Manchurian rice), Echinochloa colona (a wild grass), and Persicaria sp. (a wild dicot

SUBMITTER: Benevenuto J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5897528 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature