The availability of completely sequenced genomes offers the possibility to analyze molecular evolutionary processes like gene duplication and the functional fate of paralogous genes possibly leading to functional innovations. The aim of the present work are to apply in silico analysis approaches to three fungi showing different ecological role and functions in forest ecosystems; the pathogen Heterobasidion annosum s.l. is widely recognised as the agent of devastating root rot in conifer stands and plantations. Postia placenta and Phanerochaete chrysosporium on the contrary are the responsible of wood decay processes known, respectively, as brown rot (depolymerization of cellulose without significant lignin removal) and white rot (simultaneous degradation of lignin and cellulose). The comparison of duplicate genes content in the 3 genomes and the functional properties of paralogous gene families may explain the differential lifestyle and ecological niche occupied by fungi. Preliminary data shows a different amount of duplicated genes in the 3 genomes: in H. annosum 3,344 (27%) genes out 12,270 predicted gene models are duplicated while in P. chrysosporium 3,679 out of 10,480 (35%) and 3,439 out of 9,113 (37%) in P. placenta. The comparative analysis of orthologous genes among the three genomes showed that there are 4,916, 2,188 and 2,181orthologs between H. annosum and P. chrysosporium, H. annosum and P. placenta, P. chrysosporium and P. placenta, respectively. From a biological perspective the paralogous gene families are not randomly distributed among functional categories showing that gene duplication and loss is highly constrained by the functional properties and interacting partners of genes. Ad example, stress-related genes exhibit many duplications, whereas basal processes like growth-related genes show selection against such changes. The ongoing comparative analysis of paralogous gene families across the three 3 genomes will possibly enable to shed some light on the evolution of specialized ecological peculiar features of the rot and pathogen fungi.
Comparative genomic analysis of rot fungi: insights into the evolution of specialized functions
Emiliani G;
2011
Abstract
The availability of completely sequenced genomes offers the possibility to analyze molecular evolutionary processes like gene duplication and the functional fate of paralogous genes possibly leading to functional innovations. The aim of the present work are to apply in silico analysis approaches to three fungi showing different ecological role and functions in forest ecosystems; the pathogen Heterobasidion annosum s.l. is widely recognised as the agent of devastating root rot in conifer stands and plantations. Postia placenta and Phanerochaete chrysosporium on the contrary are the responsible of wood decay processes known, respectively, as brown rot (depolymerization of cellulose without significant lignin removal) and white rot (simultaneous degradation of lignin and cellulose). The comparison of duplicate genes content in the 3 genomes and the functional properties of paralogous gene families may explain the differential lifestyle and ecological niche occupied by fungi. Preliminary data shows a different amount of duplicated genes in the 3 genomes: in H. annosum 3,344 (27%) genes out 12,270 predicted gene models are duplicated while in P. chrysosporium 3,679 out of 10,480 (35%) and 3,439 out of 9,113 (37%) in P. placenta. The comparative analysis of orthologous genes among the three genomes showed that there are 4,916, 2,188 and 2,181orthologs between H. annosum and P. chrysosporium, H. annosum and P. placenta, P. chrysosporium and P. placenta, respectively. From a biological perspective the paralogous gene families are not randomly distributed among functional categories showing that gene duplication and loss is highly constrained by the functional properties and interacting partners of genes. Ad example, stress-related genes exhibit many duplications, whereas basal processes like growth-related genes show selection against such changes. The ongoing comparative analysis of paralogous gene families across the three 3 genomes will possibly enable to shed some light on the evolution of specialized ecological peculiar features of the rot and pathogen fungi.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
