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The Fusarium Graminearum Genome Reveals a Link Between Localized Polymorphism and Pathogen Specialization

Journal Article · · Science, 317(5843):1400-1402
We sequenced and annotated the genome of the filamentous fungus Fusarium graminearum, a major pathogen of cultivated cereals. Very few repetitive sequences were detected, and the process of repeat-induced point mutation, in which duplicated sequences are subject to extensive mutation, may partially account for the reduced repeat content and apparent low number of paralogous (ancestrally duplicated) genes. A second strain of F. graminearum contained more than 10,000 single-nucleotide polymorphisms, which were frequently located near telomeres and within other discrete chromosomal segments. Many highly polymorphic regions contained sets of genes implicated in plant-fungus interactions and were unusually divergent, with higher rates of recombination. These regions of genome innovation may result from selection due to interactions of F. graminearum with its plant hosts.
Research Organization:
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (US)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-76RL01830
OSTI ID:
921228
Report Number(s):
PNNL-SA-57387; BM0102070
Journal Information:
Science, 317(5843):1400-1402, Journal Name: Science, 317(5843):1400-1402 Journal Issue: 5843 Vol. 317; ISSN 0193-4511; ISSN SCEHDK
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English