Transcriptome analysis revealed a potential role of RXLR effectors during mating in Phytophthora infestans
T. GEORGIOS (1), R. Vetukuri (1), A. Åsman (1), J. Fogelqvist (1), C. Dixelius (1) (1) Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Sweden

Phytophthora infestans is a filamentous plant pathogen. It belongs to the class Oomycota within the Stramenopiles. Despite the importance of sexual reproduction in P. infestans, many aspects of the mating process remain unknown. In this study we are investigating its mating mechanisms using different molecular techniques. Isolates with A1 and A2 mating types from Sweden, the Netherlands and the UK, were used for this purpose because mating frequencies are known to differ among European countries. RNA was prepared from the “mating-zone” between the 4 Swedish, 1 Dutch and 1 British pairs. RNA-seq analysis was performed on an Illumina HiSeq 2500 platform and data normalized to parental isolates growing individually. Our results showed that the Dutch ‘’pair’’ displays a significant different transcriptome compared to the Swedish ones. Further, we found that some RXLR effector genes are highly induced during mating compared to parental samples in most of our crossings. Induction of RXLR genes during mating has also been observed in P. andina and P. mirabilis, two heterothallic species closely related to P. infestans. Additionally, the SNP analysis revealed insertions and deletions on the C-terminus in some of P. infestans isolates, resulting in RXLR sequence variation. In conclusion, our results indicate that certain RXLR effectors, which previously are reported to be important for the host infection process, probably are involved in the Phytophthora mating process.  

Abstract Number: P6-142
Session Type: Poster