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Updated: May 3, 2026

Agroinfiltration and PVX Agroinfection in Potato and Nicotiana benthamiana
Published on: January 3, 2014
Effector specialization in a lineage of the Irish potato famine pathogen
Suomeng Dong1, Remco Stam, Liliana M Cano
1The Sainsbury Laboratory, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK.
Abstract:
Accelerated gene evolution is a hallmark of pathogen adaptation following a host jump. Here, we describe the biochemical basis of adaptation and specialization of a plant pathogen effector after its colonization of a new host. Orthologous protease inhibitor effectors from the Irish potato famine pathogen, Phytophthora infestans, and its sister species, Phytophthora mirabilis, which is responsible for infection of Mirabilis jalapa, are adapted to protease targets unique to their respective host plants. Amino acid polymorphisms in both the inhibitors and their target proteases underpin this biochemical specialization. Our results link effector specialization to diversification and speciation of this plant pathogen.
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