Complete Genome Sequence of the FHB Pathogen
October 12, 2007| |
An international group of researchers have deciphered the complete genome of the plant fungal pathogen, Fusarium graminearum. F. graminearum, which causes the Fusarium head blight (FHB) disease on wheat and barley, has resulted in an estimated $ 10 billion in damage to U.S. crops alone over the past 10 years. In addition to damaging the grain quality, the fungus contaminates seeds with mycotoxins, toxic metabolites that can be fatal to human and animals if ingested.
The Fusarium genome, unlike other filamentous fungi, contains relatively small amount of DNA repeats. Of the 11,460 predicted genes predicted to be present in the fungus’ genome, researchers identified 408 genes exclusively expressed during barley infection. Most of these genes code for virulence factors and enzymes that function for degradation of the plant’s cell wall.
The completed sequence of the Fusarium genome allowed the identification of distinct regions with high genetic diversity. Infection-related genes were found to be localized within these regions. This may allow the fungus to adapt rapidly to changing environments or hosts. Future studies are aimed at identifying the regions that may have the greatest potential in elucidating the dynamics of host pathogen interactions.
Read the full paper at http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/reprint/317/5843/1400.pdf or the abstract at http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/abstract/317/5843/1400
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