Natural selection on coding and noncoding DNA sequences is associated with virulence genes in a plant pathogenic fungus

Natural selection leaves imprints on DNA, offering the opportunity to identify functionally important regions of the genome. Identifying the genomic regions affected by natural selection within pathogens can aid in the pursuit of effective strategies to control diseases. In this study, we analyzed g...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Genome biology and evolution 2014-09, Vol.6 (9), p.2368-2379
Main Authors: Rech, Gabriel E, Sanz-Martín, José M, Anisimova, Maria, Sukno, Serenella A, Thon, Michael R
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
5' Untranslated Regions
Base Sequence
Codon
Colletotrichum - genetics
Colletotrichum - pathogenicity
Evolution, Molecular
Fungi - genetics
Fungi - pathogenicity
Molecular Sequence Data
Plant Diseases - microbiology
Selection, Genetic
Virulence
Virulence Factors - genetics
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Summary:Natural selection leaves imprints on DNA, offering the opportunity to identify functionally important regions of the genome. Identifying the genomic regions affected by natural selection within pathogens can aid in the pursuit of effective strategies to control diseases. In this study, we analyzed genome-wide patterns of selection acting on different classes of sequences in a worldwide sample of eight strains of the model plant-pathogenic fungus Colletotrichum graminicola. We found evidence of selective sweeps, balancing selection, and positive selection affecting both protein-coding and noncoding DNA of pathogenicity-related sequences. Genes encoding putative effector proteins and secondary metabolite biosynthetic enzymes show evidence of positive selection acting on the coding sequence, consistent with an Arms Race model of evolution. The 5' untranslated regions (UTRs) of genes coding for effector proteins and genes upregulated during infection show an excess of high-frequency polymorphisms likely the consequence of balancing selection and consistent with the Red Queen hypothesis of evolution acting on these putative regulatory sequences. Based on the findings of this work, we propose that even though adaptive substitutions on coding sequences are important for proteins that interact directly with the host, polymorphisms in the regulatory sequences may confer flexibility of gene expression in the virulence processes of this important plant pathogen.
ISSN:1759-6653
1759-6653
DOI:10.1093/gbe/evu192