Specific selection on XEG1 and XLP1 genes correlates with host range and adaptability in Phytophthora

In diverse Phytophthora-plant pathosystems, Phytophthora secretes XLP1 (PsXEG1-Like Protein), a non-enzymatic paralog that functions as a decoy to protect XEG1 (Xyloglucan-specific Endoglucanase) from host inhibitors. Here, we show that the genus-specific selection pressures on the XEG1/XLP1 gene pair are crucial for host adaptation and are closely linked to Phytophthora host range. Our findings reveal that the XEG1/XLP1 gene pair originated within Phytophthora and subsequently evolved into genus-specific genes, undergoing functional divergence driven by preferential selection. Positive selection sites within the XEG1/XLP1 gene pair in Phytophthora contribute to this functional divergence and are associated with the host range variability of Phytophthora as evidenced by multivariate statistical analyses. Furthermore, mutations at key selection sites in Phytophthora sojae and Phytophthora capsici significantly impair their pathogenicity, with P. capsici exhibiting almost no colonization expansion on tobacco and pea. Notably, natural Phytophthora populations harbor mutations at the positive selection sites, indicating ongoing evolutionary pressures on the XEG1/XLP1 gene pair.

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Publication Details

Journal
Nature Communications
Published
2025-04-16
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-58770-x
Citations
2
Primary Topic
Plant Pathogens and Resistance
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
3.50

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article

Specific selection on XEG1 and XLP1 genes correlates with host range and adaptability in Phytophthora

Min Qiu, Han Chen, Haibin Jiang, Yuanchao Wang et al.
2 citations
Nature Communications
Plant Pathogens and Resistance
3.50
article

Specific selection on XEG1 and XLP1 genes correlates with host range and adaptability in Phytophthora

Min Qiu, Han Chen, Haibin Jiang, Yuanchao Wang, Haidong Shu, Haixia You, Ji Ma, Li-Guo Jia, Wenwu Ye, Kaixiang Wang, Suomeng Dong, Yan Wang, Xi Chen, Qi Zhang, Xinyu Zhang, Haiyang Liu, Bing Chen, Junhua Xiao, Si‐Zhe Li, Yeqiang Xia, Zhenchuan Ma, Zhichao Zhang, Xinyi Wu
article en
2 citations

Abstract

In diverse Phytophthora-plant pathosystems, Phytophthora secretes XLP1 (PsXEG1-Like Protein), a non-enzymatic paralog that functions as a decoy to protect XEG1 (Xyloglucan-specific Endoglucanase) from host inhibitors. Here, we show that the genus-specific selection pressures on the XEG1/XLP1 gene pair are crucial for host adaptation and are closely linked to Phytophthora host range. Our findings reveal that the XEG1/XLP1 gene pair originated within Phytophthora and subsequently evolved into genus-specific genes, undergoing functional divergence driven by preferential selection. Positive selection sites within the XEG1/XLP1 gene pair in Phytophthora contribute to this functional divergence and are associated with the host range variability of Phytophthora as evidenced by multivariate statistical analyses. Furthermore, mutations at key selection sites in Phytophthora sojae and Phytophthora capsici significantly impair their pathogenicity, with P. capsici exhibiting almost no colonization expansion on tobacco and pea. Notably, natural Phytophthora populations harbor mutations at the positive selection sites, indicating ongoing evolutionary pressures on the XEG1/XLP1 gene pair.

Nature CommunicationsVol. 16(1)
Nanjing Agricultural University (CN), Zhongshan Hospital (CN), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (CN), Nanjing University (CN)
National Natural Science Foundation of China, Government of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Agricultural University, National Key Research and Development Program of China
Zero hunger
Openalex Percentile: Top 9%
Plant Pathogens and Resistance
3.50
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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