Contrasting patterns of evolution between allelic groups at a single locus in Arabidopsis

High-resolution mapping of Ryd4Hb, a major resistance gene to Barley yellow dwarf virus from Hordeum bulbosum

KEY MESSAGE

We mapped Ryd4Hb in a 66.5 kbp interval in barley and dissociated it from a sublethality factor. These results will enable a targeted selection of the resistance in barley breeding. Virus diseases are causing high yield losses in crops worldwide. The Barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) complex is responsible for one of the most widespread and economically important viral diseases of cereals. While no gene conferring complete resistance (immunity) has been uncovered in the primary gene pool of barley, sources of resistance were searched and identified in the wild relative Hordeum bulbosum, representing the secondary gene pool of barley. One such locus, Ryd4Hb, has been previously introgressed into barley, and was allocated to chromosome 3H, but is tightly linked to a sublethality factor that prevents the incorporation and utilization of Ryd4Hb in barley varieties. To solve this problem, we fine-mapped Ryd4Hb and separated it from this negative factor. We narrowed the Ryd4Hb locus to a corresponding 66.5 kbp physical interval in the barley 'Morex' reference genome. The region comprises a gene from the nucleotide-binding and leucine-rich repeat immune receptor family, typical of dominant virus resistance genes. The closest homolog to this Ryd4Hb candidate gene is the wheat Sr35 stem rust resistance gene. In addition to the fine mapping, we reduced the interval bearing the sublethality factor to 600 kbp in barley. Aphid feeding experiments demonstrated that Ryd4Hb provides a resistance to BYDV rather than to its vector. The presented results, including the high-throughput molecular markers, will permit a more targeted selection of the resistance in breeding, enabling the use of Ryd4Hb in barley varieties.

Analysis of intraspecies diversity reveals a subset of highly variable plant immune receptors and predicts their binding sites

The evolution of recognition specificities by the immune system depends on the generation of receptor diversity and on connecting the binding of new antigens with the initiation of downstream signaling. In plant immunity, the innate Nucleotide-Binding Leucine-Rich Repeat (NLR) receptor family enables antigen binding and immune signaling. In this study, we surveyed the NLR complements of 62 ecotypes of Arabidopsis thaliana and 54 lines of Brachypodium distachyon and identified a limited number of NLR subfamilies that show high allelic diversity. We show that the predicted specificity-determining residues cluster on the surfaces of Leucine-Rich Repeat domains, but the locations of the clusters vary among NLR subfamilies. By comparing NLR phylogeny, allelic diversity, and known functions of the Arabidopsis NLRs, we formulate a hypothesis for the emergence of direct and indirect pathogen-sensing receptors and of the autoimmune NLRs. These findings reveal the recurring patterns of evolution of innate immunity and can inform NLR engineering efforts.

Genetic signatures of plant resistance genes with known function within and between species

Plant disease resistance (R) genes have undergone significant evolutionary divergence to cope with rapid changes in pathogens. These highly variable evolutionary patterns may have contributed to diversity in R gene protein families or structures. Here, the evolutionary patterns of 76 identified R genes and their homologs were investigated within and between plant species. Results demonstrated that nucleotide binding sites and leucine-rich-repeat genes located in loci with complex evolutionary histories tended to evolve rapidly, have high variation in copy numbers, exhibit high levels of nucleotide variation and frequent gene conversion events, and also exhibit high non-synonymous to synonymous substitution ratios in LRR regions. However, non-NBS-LRR R genes are relatively well conserved with constrained variation and are more likely to participate in the basic defense system of hosts. In addition, both conserved and highly divergent evolutionary patterns were observed for the same R genes and were consistent with inter- and intra-specific distributions of some R genes. These results thus indicate either continuous or altered evolutionary patterns between and within species. The present investigation is the first attempt to investigate evolutionary patterns among all clearly functional R genes. The results reported here thus provide a foundation for future plant disease studies.

The Genetics Underlying Natural Variation in the Biotic Interactions of Arabidopsis thaliana: The Challenges of Linking Evolutionary Genetics and Community Ecology

In the context of global change, predicting the responses of plant communities in an ever-changing biotic environment calls for a multipronged approach at the interface of evolutionary genetics and community ecology. However, our understanding of the genetic basis of natural variation involved in mediating biotic interactions, and associated adaptive dynamics of focal plants in their natural communities, is still in its infancy. Here, we review the genetic and molecular bases of natural variation in the response to biotic interactions (viruses, bacteria, fungi, oomycetes, herbivores, and plants) in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana as well as the adaptive value of these bases. Among the 60 identified genes are a number that encode nucleotide-binding site leucine-rich repeat (NBS-LRR)-type proteins, consistent with early examples of plant defense genes. However, recent studies have revealed an extensive diversity in the molecular mechanisms of defense. Many types of genetic variants associate with phenotypic variation in biotic interactions, even among the genes of large effect that tend to be identified. In general, we found that (i) balancing selection rather than directional selection explains the observed patterns of genetic diversity within A. thaliana and (ii) the cost/benefit tradeoffs of adaptive alleles can be strongly dependent on both genomic and environmental contexts. Finally, because A. thaliana rarely interacts with only one biotic partner in nature, we highlight the benefit of exploring diffuse biotic interactions rather than tightly associated host-enemy pairs. This challenge would help to improve our understanding of coevolutionary quantitative genetics within the context of realistic community complexity.

Evolutionary pattern of the FAE1 gene in brassicaceae and its correlation with the erucic acid trait

The fatty acid elongase 1 (FAE1) gene catalyzes the initial condensation step in the elongation pathway of VLCFA (very long chain fatty acid) biosynthesis and is thus a key gene in erucic acid biosynthesis. Based on a worldwide collection of 62 accessions representing 14 tribes, 31 genera, 51 species, 4 subspecies and 7 varieties, we conducted a phylogenetic reconstruction and correlation analysis between genetic variations in the FAE1 gene and the erucic acid trait, attempting to gain insight into the evolutionary patterns and the correlations between genetic variations in FAE1 and trait variations. The five clear, deeply diverged clades detected in the phylogenetic reconstruction are largely congruent with a previous multiple gene-derived phylogeny. The Ka/Ks ratio (<1) and overall low level of nucleotide diversity in the FAE1 gene suggest that purifying selection is the major evolutionary force acting on this gene. Sequence variations in FAE1 show a strong correlation with the content of erucic acid in seeds, suggesting a causal link between the two. Furthermore, we detected 16 mutations that were fixed between the low and high phenotypes of the FAE1 gene, which constitute candidate active sites in this gene for altering the content of erucic acid in seeds. Our findings begin to shed light on the evolutionary pattern of this important gene and represent the first step in elucidating how the sequence variations impact the production of erucic acid in plants.

Adaptive evolution of Xa21 homologs in Gramineae

The XA21 protein has broad spectrum resistance against Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae. Although Xa21-mediated immunity is well characterized, little is known about the origin and evolutionary history of this gene in grasses. Therefore, we analyzed all Xa21 gene homologs in eight whole-genome sequenced rice lines, as well as in four gramineous genomes, rice, Brachypodium, sorghum and maize; using Arabidopsis Xa21 homologs as outgroups, 17, 7, 7 and 3 Xa21 homologs were detected in these four grasses, respectively. Synteny and phylogenetic analysis showed that frequent gene translocation, duplication and/or loss, have occurred at Xa21 homologous loci, suggesting that they have undergone or are undergoing rapid generation of copy number variations. Within the rice species, the high level of nucleotide diversity between Xa21-like orthologs showed a strong association with the presence/absence haplotypes, suggesting that the genetic structure of rice lines plays an important role in the variations between these Xa21-like orthologs. Strongly positive selection was detected in the core region of the leucine-rich repeat domains of the Xa21 subclade among the rice lines, indicating that the rapid gene diversification of Xa21 homologs may be a strategy for a given species to adapt to the changing spectrum of species-specific pathogens.

Unusual signatures of highly adaptable R-loci in closely-related Arabidopsis species

Plant resistance genes (R-genes) evolve rapidly in response to changing environments. What are the most remarkable signatures of fast adaptive genes, besides the commonly revealed rapid divergence and high non-synonymous substitution rate? Here we investigated these changes in five R-loci following recent differentiation between Arabidopsis thaliana and Arabidopsis lyrata. Extreme differences in evolutionary rates were observed: e.g., an overall 5.46-9.83-fold different nucleotide diversity at two R-loci between species, ten-fold higher non-synonymous substitution rates within one species versus the other, significantly different Ka/Ks ratios between species for the same R-gene, and high interspecific divergence at one R-locus. Particularly, we observed an elevated level of trans-specific polymorphism at one R-locus and a differentially maintained presence/absence polymorphism at another. The high frequency of ancestral polymorphisms amongst R-genes suggests that the persistence of some functional variation is an important evolutionary mechanism shaping genetic variation in R-genes, while the variation of presence/absence polymorphisms provides a potential mechanism for malleable activation of adaptive resistance response pathways. The distinct patterns among R-genes suggest that the same R-gene ortholog can be quickly shaped by different evolutionary processes, e.g., purifying selection in one species but positive selection in a closely-related species.

Hyaloperonospora Arabidopsidis as a pathogen model

Hyaloperonospora arabidopsidis, a downy mildew pathogen of the model plant Arabidopsis, has been very useful in the understanding of the relationship between oomycetes and their host plants. This naturally coevolving pathosystem contains an amazing level of genetic diversity in host resistance and pathogen avirulence proteins. Oomycete effectors identified to date contain a targeting motif, RXLR, enabling effector entry into the host cell. The availability of the H. arabidopsidis genome sequence has enabled bioinformatic analyses to identify at least 130 RXLR effectors, potentially used to quell the host's defense mechanism and manipulate other host cellular processes. Currently, these effectors are being used to reveal their targets in the host cell. Eventually this will result in an understanding of the mechanisms used by a pathogen to sustain a biotrophic relationship with a plant.

Proteomic analysis of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) responses to endophytic colonization by entomopathogenic fungi

The entomopathogenic fungi Beauveria bassiana, Lecanicillium dimorphum and L. cf. psalliotae can survive and colonize living palm tissue as endophytes. The molecular interaction between these biocontrol agent fungi and the date palm Phoenix dactylifera L. was investigated using proteomic techniques. Field date palms inoculated with these fungi were analyzed 15 and 30 days after inoculation in two independent bioassays. In vitro date palms were also inoculated with B. bassiana or L. cf. psalliotae. Qualitative and quantitative differences in protein accumulation between controls (not inoculated) and inoculated palms were found using 2-DE analysis, and some of these responsive proteins could be identified using MALDI/TOF-TOF. Proteins involved in plant defence or stress response were induced in P. dactylifera leaves as a response to endophytic colonization by entomopathogenic fungi in field date palms. Proteins related with photosynthesis and energy metabolism were also affected by entomopathogenic fungi colonization. A myosin heavy chain-like protein was accumulated in in vitro palms inoculated with these fungi. This suggests that endophytic colonization by these entomopathogenic fungi modulates plant defence responses and energy metabolism in field date palms and possibly modulates the expression of cell division-related proteins in in vitro palms at proteomic level.

A population genomics study of the Arabidopsis core cell cycle genes shows the signature of natural selection

Large-scale comparison of sequence polymorphism and divergence at numerous genomic loci within and between closely related species can reveal signatures of natural selection. Here, we present a population genomics study based on direct sequencing of 61 mitotic cell cycle genes from 30 Arabidopsis thaliana accessions and comparison of the resulting data to the close relative Arabidopsis lyrata. We found that the Arabidopsis core cell cycle (CCC) machinery is not highly constrained but is subject to different modes of selection. We found patterns of purifying selection for the cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK), CDK subunit, retinoblastoma, and WEE1 gene families. Other CCC gene families often showed a mix of one or two constrained genes and relaxed purifying selection on the other genes. We found several large effect mutations in CDKB1;2 that segregate in the species. We found a strong signature of adaptive protein evolution in the Kip-related protein KRP6 and departures from equilibrium at CDKD;1 and CYCA3;3 consistent with the operation of selection in these gene regions. Our data suggest that within Arabidopsis, the genetic robustness of cell cycle-related processes is more due to functional redundancy than high selective constraint.

Maintenance of genetic variation in plants and pathogens involves complex networks of gene-for-gene interactions

The RPP13 [recognition of Hyaloperonospora arabidopsidis (previously known as Peronospora parasitica)] resistance (R) gene in Arabidopsis thaliana exhibits the highest reported level of sequence diversity among known R genes. Consistent with a co-evolutionary model, the matching effector protein ATR13 (A. thaliana-recognized) from H. arabidopsidis reveals extreme levels of allelic diversity. We isolated 23 new RPP13 sequences from a UK metapopulation, giving a total of 47 when combined with previous studies. We used these in functional studies of the A. thaliana accessions for their resistance response to 16 isolates of H. arabidopsidis. We characterized the molecular basis of recognition by the expression of the corresponding ATR13 genes from these 16 isolates in these host accessions. This allowed the determination of which alleles of RPP13 were responsible for pathogen recognition and whether recognition was dependent on the RPP13/ATR13 combination. Linking our functional studies with phylogenetic analysis, we determined that: (i) the recognition of ATR13 is mediated by alleles in just a single RPP13 clade; (ii) RPP13 alleles in other clades have evolved the ability to detect other pathogen ATR protein(s); and (iii) at least one gene, unlinked to RPP13 in A. thaliana, detects a different subgroup of ATR13 alleles.

Recognition of the Hyaloperonospora parasitica effector ATR13 triggers resistance against oomycete, bacterial, and viral pathogens

Phytopathogenic oomycetes cause some of the most devastating diseases affecting agricultural crops. Hyaloperonospora parasitica is a native oomycete pathogen of Arabidopsis and is related to other oomycete phytopathogens that include several species of Phytophthora, including the causal agent of potato late blight. Recently, four oomycete effector genes have been isolated, and several oomycete genomes have been sequenced. We have developed an efficient and genetically amenable system to test putative effector genes using the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000. The H. parasitica effector protein ATR13 was delivered via P. syringae by fusing the ATR13 gene with the avrRpm1 type three secretion signal peptide, a bacterial sequence that allows transfer of proteins into the host cell through the bacterial type III secretion system. We also inserted ATR13 into the genome of the turnip mosaic virus, a single-stranded RNA virus. Our results show that delivery of ATR13 via the bacterial or viral pathogen triggers defense responses in plants containing the cognate resistance protein RPP13(Nd), which restricts proliferation of both pathogens. Hence, recognition of ATR13 by RPP13 initiates defense responses that are effective against oomycete, bacterial and viral pathogens, pointing to a common defense mechanism. We have characterized regions of the RPP13(Nd) resistance protein that are essential for effector recognition and/or downstream signaling, using transient coexpression in Nicotiana benthamiana.

Genetic variation of NBS-LRR class resistance genes in rice lines

The use of plant disease resistance (R) genes in breeding programs needs an understanding of their variation patterns. In our current study, we investigated the polymorphisms of 44 NBS-LRR class R-genes among 21 rice cultivars and 14 wild rice populations. Our data suggested that there were four basic types of variations: conserved, diversified, intermediate-diversified, and present/absent patterns. Common characteristics at a locus of conserved R-genes were: copy-number uniformity, clear divergence (long branches) with other paralogs, and highly identical alleles. On the other hand, copy-number variability, a nearly equal and non-zero branch lengths, and high levels of nucleotide diversity were observed at the loci of highly diversified R-genes. Research suggests that the ratio of diverse alleles to the total number of genes at a locus is one of the best criteria to characterize the variation pattern of an R-gene. Our data suggested that a significant genetic reduction was detected only in four present/absent R-genes, compared with the variation observed in wild rice. In general, no difference was detected between wild rice and cultivars, japonica and indica rice, or between lines from different geographic regions. Our results also suggested that R-genes were under strong selection, which shaped R-gene variation patterns.

Highly asymmetric rice genomes

Background

Individuals in the same species are assumed to share the same genomic set. However, it is not unusual to find an orthologous gene only in small subset of the species, and recent genomic studies suggest that structural rearrangements are very frequent between genomes in the same species. Two recently sequenced rice genomes Oryza sativa L. var. Nipponbare and O. sativa L. var. 93-11 provide an opportunity to systematically investigate the extent of the gene repertoire polymorphism, even though the genomic data of 93-11 derived from whole-short-gun sequencing is not yet as complete as that of Nipponbare.

Results

We compared gene contents and the genomic locations between two rice genomes. Our conservative estimates suggest that at least 10% of the genes in the genomes were either under presence/absence polymorphism (5.2%) or asymmetrically located between genomes (4.7%). The proportion of these "asymmetric genes" varied largely among gene groups, in which disease resistance (R) genes and the RLK kinase gene group had 11.6 and 7.8 times higher proportion of asymmetric genes than housekeeping genes (Myb and MADS). The significant difference in the proportion of asymmetric genes among gene groups suggests that natural selection is responsible for maintaining genomic asymmetry. On the other hand, the nucleotide diversity in 17 R genes under presence/absence polymorphism was generally low (average nucleotide diversity = 0.0051).

Conclusion

The genomic symmetry was disrupted by 10% of asymmetric genes, which could cause genetic variation through more unequal crossing over, because these genes had no allelic counterparts to pair and then they were free to pair with homologues at non-allelic loci, during meiosis in heterozygotes. It might be a consequence of diversifying selection that increased the structural divergence among genomes, and of purifying selection that decreased nucleotide divergence in each R gene locus.

Unique pattern of R-gene variation within populations in Arabidopsis

An understanding of the variation pattern in disease resistance (R) genes is essential for its use in breeding programs aimed at neutralizing the threat of pathogens. Although the variation between populations is well known, there is little research about R-gene variation patterns within populations. Here, we investigate the polymorphism at three R-gene loci of 39 individual plants from nine populations of Arabidopsis thaliana. Our data suggest that alleles of each locus from individuals within a local population were either nearly identical, or highly diverse as ones between populations. The vast majority (92.5%) of within-population variation was shared globally, with high levels of allelic diversity (up to 11.7%) and abundant diverse-alleles. This unique pattern of within-population variation at R-loci suggests that individual plants within a population had the great potential to maintain a high level of globally-shared polymorphisms, and that the diversifying selection was the major force maintaining such polymorphisms. Consequently, the shared-polymorphism became recyclable for new R-genes, as the corresponding avirulence re-emerges in pathogen populations.