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Transposable Elements Adaptive Role in Genome Plasticity, Pathogenicity and Evolution in Fungal Phytopathogens
Nurhani Mat Razali1, Boon Huat Cheah2,3, Kalaivani Nadarajah4
1School of Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi 43600, Malaysia.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|July 26, 2019
Summary
Transposable elements (TEs) drive genetic variability and adaptive evolution in fungal phytopathogens. Understanding their role in genome plasticity and pathogenicity is crucial for managing plant diseases.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Evolutionary Biology
- Plant Pathology
Background:
- Transposable elements (TEs) contribute to genetic variability and genome diversification in phytopathogens.
- Mechanisms of TE-induced genomic changes and their impact on fungal evolution are not fully understood.
- TEs are implicated in genome plasticity, including genome size changes and gene gain/loss in fungal phytopathogens.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the multifaceted roles of transposable elements in fungal phytopathogens.
- To elucidate the contribution of TEs to genome architecture, plasticity, and adaptive evolution.
- To identify knowledge gaps regarding TE functions in fungal pathogenicity.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature survey and review of existing studies on transposable elements in fungal phytopathogens.
- Analysis of TE distribution and proximity to pathogenicity genes.
- Examination of TE-mediated alterations in gene expression and epigenetic control.
Main Results:
- TEs significantly influence genome plasticity and diversification in fungal phytopathogens.
- TEs can alter gene expression by modifying cis-regulatory elements and recruiting epigenetic control.
- TEs near pathogenicity genes may facilitate the emergence of novel virulence factors.
Conclusions:
- Transposable elements play a wide-ranging role in fungal phytopathogens, impacting genome plasticity, pathogenicity, and adaptive evolution.
- Further research is needed to fully understand the complex mechanisms by which TEs contribute to fungal genome versatility and pathogenicity.
- TEs are key drivers of evolutionary innovation and adaptation in fungal plant pathogens.
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