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Accelerated gene evolution is a hallmark of pathogen adaptation following a host jump. Here, we describe the biochemical basis of adaptation and specialization of a plant pathogen effector after its colonization of a new host. Orthologous protease inhibitor effectors from the Irish potato famine pathogen, Phytophthora infestans, and its sister species, Phytophthora mirabilis, which is responsible for infection of Mirabilis jalapa, are adapted to protease targets unique to their respective host plants. Amino acid polymorphisms in both the inhibitors and their target proteases underpin this biochemical specialization. Our results link effector specialization to diversification and speciation of this plant pathogen.

Original publication

DOI

10.1126/science.1246300

Type

Journal article

Journal

Science

Publication Date

31/01/2014

Volume

343

Pages

552 - 555

Keywords

Amino Acid Sequence, Amino Acid Substitution, Evolution, Molecular, Mirabilis, Phylogeny, Phytophthora infestans, Plant Diseases, Plant Proteins, Polymorphism, Genetic, Proteinase Inhibitory Proteins, Secretory, Solanum tuberosum, Species Specificity