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Related Experiment Videos

Balancing selection favors guarding resistance proteins.

Renier A L Van der Hoorn1, Pierre J G M De Wit, Matthieu H A J Joosten

  • 1Laboratory of Phytopathology, Wageningen University, The Netherlands.

Trends in Plant Science
|February 8, 2002
PubMed
Summary

Plant resistance (R) genes are maintained by balancing selection, favoring R proteins that guard virulence targets rather than recognizing pathogen avirulence (Avr) factors directly. This explains R gene longevity in natural populations.

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Area of Science:

  • Plant pathology
  • Evolutionary genetics
  • Molecular plant-microbe interactions

Background:

  • The classic plant-pathogen co-evolution model predicts young, single-form (monomorphic) plant resistance (R) genes.
  • Recent findings reveal long-lived R genes and multiple R genes within plant populations, challenging this model.
  • This suggests R genes are preserved by balancing selection, where pathogen avirulence (Avr) gene loss reduces pathogen harm.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the evolutionary mechanisms maintaining plant resistance (R) genes.
  • To propose a revised model for R gene function in plant-pathogen interactions under balancing selection.
  • To determine if R proteins act as guards of virulence targets or directly recognize pathogen avirulence (Avr) factors.

Main Methods:

Related Experiment Videos

  • Theoretical reasoning based on evolutionary models of balancing selection.
  • Analysis of existing experimental data on plant-pathogen gene-for-gene interactions.
  • Comparative analysis of R gene evolution and population genetics.

Main Results:

  • Balancing selection favors R genes that monitor pathogen virulence targets.
  • This guarding mechanism explains the persistence and diversity of R genes in plant populations.
  • Experimental evidence supports the prevalence of this guarding mechanism in gene-for-gene interactions.

Conclusions:

  • R genes are maintained by balancing selection, promoting longevity and diversity.
  • The 'guard' model, where R proteins monitor virulence targets, is a more accurate representation of R gene function.
  • Understanding R gene evolution is crucial for developing durable crop resistance strategies.