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Characterization of cyclophilin-encoding genes in Phytophthora
Pamela Hui Peng Gan1, Weixing Shan, Leila M Blackman
1Plant Cell Biology Group, Research School of Biological Sciences, School of Biology, The Australian National University, GPO Box 475, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia. pamela.gan@anu.edu.au
Molecular Genetics and Genomics : MGG
|February 18, 2009
Summary
Cyclophilins are crucial proteins in plant pathogen infections. This study identifies and analyzes cyclophilin genes in Phytophthora, revealing expression patterns during development and host infection.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Plant Pathology
- Genomics
Background:
- Cyclophilins are proteins catalyzing peptidyl-prolyl bonds, essential for pathogen infection processes.
- They facilitate host penetration, colonization, and effector protein activation within host cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cyclophilin gene family in Phytophthora species.
- To analyze the expression patterns of cyclophilin genes during asexual development and plant infection.
Main Methods:
- Bioinformatic analysis of Phytophthora genomes to identify cyclophilin gene families.
- PCR and gene-specific primers to isolate homologous cyclophilin sequences in P. nicotianae.
- Quantitative real-time PCR to measure transcript levels at different developmental and infection stages.
- Immunocytochemistry to determine the cellular localization and secretion of PnCyPA.
Main Results:
- Extensive synteny observed in the cyclophilin gene family across three Phytophthora species.
- 14 out of 21 cyclophilin genes are expressed in P. infestans.
- Seven cyclophilin homologs were found to be expressed in P. nicotianae.
- PnCyPA, the most abundant cyclophilin, shows increased expression during infection of susceptible tobacco plants and is secreted from germinated cysts.
Conclusions:
- Phytophthora species possess a large and conserved cyclophilin gene family.
- Specific cyclophilins, like PnCyPA, are differentially expressed during pathogen development and host interaction.
- Understanding cyclophilin roles can offer insights into Phytophthora pathogenesis and potential control strategies.
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