Lysoe, E. | Search bioRxiv

bioRxiv2018

Bioinformatic characterisation of the effector repertoire of the strawberry pathogen Phytophthora cactorum

The oomycete pathogen Phytophthora cactorum causes crown rot, a major disease of cultivated strawberry. We report the draft genome of P. cactorum isolate 10300, cultured from symptomatic Fragaria x ananassa tissue. Our analysis revealed that there are a large number of genes encoding putative secreted effectors in the genome, including nearly 200 RxLR domain containing effectors, 77 Crinklers (CRN) grouped into 38 families and numerous apoplastic effectors, such as phytotoxins (PcF proteins) and necrosis inducing proteins. As in other Phytophthora species, the genomic environment of many RxLR and CRN genes differed from core eukaryotic genes, a hallmark of the two-speed genome. We found genes homologous to known Phytophthora infestans avirulence genes including Avr1, Avr3b, Avr4, Avrblb1 and AvrSmira2 indicating effector sequence conservation between Phytophthora species of Clade 1A and 1C. The reported P. cactorum genome sequence and associated annotations represent a comprehensive resource for avirulence gene discovery in other Phytophthora species from Clade 1 and will facilitate effector informed breeding strategies in other crops.

pathology↗

bioRxiv2018

Transcriptome and metabolome analysis provide insights into root and root released organic anion responses to phosphorus deficiency in oat

Root and root-released organic anions play important roles in uptake of phosphorus (P), an essential macronutrient for food production. Oat, ranking sixth in the worlds cereal production, contains valuable nutritional compounds and can withstand poor soil conditions. The aim of this research was to investigate root transcriptional and metabolic responses of oat grown under P-deficient and P-sufficient conditions. We conducted a hydroponic experiment and measured root morphology, organic anions exudation, and analysed changes in the transcriptome and metabolome, to understand oat root adaptation to P deficiency. We found that oat roots showed enhanced citrate and malate exudation after four weeks of P-deficiency. After 10 days of P-deficiency, we identified 9371 differentially expressed transcripts with a two-fold or greater change (p < 0.05): forty-eight sequences predicted to be involved in organic anion biosynthesis and efflux were consistently up-regulated; twenty-four up-regulated transcripts in oat were also found up-regulated upon P starvation in rice and wheat under similar conditions. Phosphorylated metabolites (i.e. glucose-6-phosphate, myo-inositol-phosphate) reduced dramatically, while citrate and malate, some sugars and amino acids increased slightly in P-deficient oat roots. Our data provide new insights into the root responses to P deficiency and root-released organic anions in oat.\n\nHighlightWe found oat- a monocot food crop, showed high exudation rate of citrate under phosphorus deficiency; root transcriptome and metabolome were then investigated to understand oat adaptation to P deficiency.

plant biology↗