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Specific selection on XEG1 and XLP1 genes correlates with host range and adaptability in Phytophthora

Author

Listed:
  • Qi Zhang

    (Nanjing Agricultural University
    Nanjing Agricultural University)

  • Xi Chen

    (Nanjing Agricultural University
    Nanjing Agricultural University)

  • Haixia You

    (Nanjing Agricultural University
    Nanjing Agricultural University)

  • Bing Chen

    (Nanjing Agricultural University
    Nanjing Agricultural University)

  • Liyu Jia

    (Nanjing Agricultural University
    Nanjing Agricultural University)

  • Sizhe Li

    (Nanjing Agricultural University
    Nanjing Agricultural University)

  • Xinyu Zhang

    (Nanjing Agricultural University
    Nanjing Agricultural University)

  • Ji Ma

    (Nanjing Agricultural University
    Nanjing Agricultural University)

  • Xinyi Wu

    (Nanjing Agricultural University
    Nanjing Agricultural University)

  • Kaixiang Wang

    (Nanjing Agricultural University
    Nanjing Agricultural University)

  • Huanshan Liu

    (Nanjing Agricultural University
    Nanjing Agricultural University)

  • Haibin Jiang

    (Nanjing Agricultural University
    Nanjing Agricultural University)

  • Junhua Xiao

    (Nanjing Agricultural University
    Nanjing Agricultural University)

  • Haidong Shu

    (Nanjing Agricultural University
    Nanjing Agricultural University)

  • Zhichao Zhang

    (Nanjing Agricultural University
    Nanjing Agricultural University)

  • Min Qiu

    (Nanjing Agricultural University
    Nanjing Agricultural University)

  • Yeqiang Xia

    (Nanjing Agricultural University
    Nanjing Agricultural University)

  • Han Chen

    (Nanjing Agricultural University
    Nanjing Agricultural University)

  • Yan Wang

    (Nanjing Agricultural University
    Nanjing Agricultural University)

  • Wenwu Ye

    (Nanjing Agricultural University
    Nanjing Agricultural University)

  • Suomeng Dong

    (Nanjing Agricultural University
    Nanjing Agricultural University)

  • Zhenchuan Ma

    (Nanjing Agricultural University
    Nanjing Agricultural University
    Zhongshan Biological Breeding Laboratory)

  • Yuanchao Wang

    (Nanjing Agricultural University
    Nanjing Agricultural University
    Zhongshan Biological Breeding Laboratory)

Abstract

In diverse Phytophthora-plant pathosystems, Phytophthora secretes XLP1 (PsXEG1-Like Protein), a non-enzymatic paralog that functions as a decoy to protect XEG1 (Xyloglucan-specific Endoglucanase) from host inhibitors. Here, we show that the genus-specific selection pressures on the XEG1/XLP1 gene pair are crucial for host adaptation and are closely linked to Phytophthora host range. Our findings reveal that the XEG1/XLP1 gene pair originated within Phytophthora and subsequently evolved into genus-specific genes, undergoing functional divergence driven by preferential selection. Positive selection sites within the XEG1/XLP1 gene pair in Phytophthora contribute to this functional divergence and are associated with the host range variability of Phytophthora as evidenced by multivariate statistical analyses. Furthermore, mutations at key selection sites in Phytophthora sojae and Phytophthora capsici significantly impair their pathogenicity, with P. capsici exhibiting almost no colonization expansion on tobacco and pea. Notably, natural Phytophthora populations harbor mutations at the positive selection sites, indicating ongoing evolutionary pressures on the XEG1/XLP1 gene pair.

Suggested Citation

  • Qi Zhang & Xi Chen & Haixia You & Bing Chen & Liyu Jia & Sizhe Li & Xinyu Zhang & Ji Ma & Xinyi Wu & Kaixiang Wang & Huanshan Liu & Haibin Jiang & Junhua Xiao & Haidong Shu & Zhichao Zhang & Min Qiu &, 2025. "Specific selection on XEG1 and XLP1 genes correlates with host range and adaptability in Phytophthora," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-11, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-58770-x
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-58770-x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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