Dhr.ir. P.M.J.A (Pieter) van Poppel: “The Phytophthora infestans avirulence gene PiAvr4 and its’ popato counterpart R4”

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4 Feb 2009 16:00
Unit: Wageningen University
Location: Aula, building 362, Gen. Foulkesweg 1, Wageningen
Organisation: Wageningen University
Promotor: prof.dr.ir. P.J.G.M. Wit de (Phytopathology)
Promotor: Prof.dr.ir. F.P.M. Govers

 Phytophthora infestans is the causal agent of late blight, the most disastrous disease on potato worldwide. Similar to many plant pathogens P. infestans produces effector proteins that facilitate infection of the host. In plants resistant to late blight, resistance is activated upon recognition of effectors. Resistant potato cultivars, however, can rapidly loose resistance due to adaption of the pathogen. Key to a better understanding of the molecular basis of resistance to late blight is unraveling the interactions between resistance proteins and effectors. Effectors are called avirulence (Avr) factors when they are recognised by a host. This thesis describes the isolation and characterisation of the PiAvr4 gene. The effector PiAvr4 specifically triggers a resistance response on potato plants carrying the R4 resistance gene. PiAvr4 belongs to a large family of effectors with a shared domain that facilitates transport of pathogen effectors to the inside of plant cells. Effectors are under high selective pressure. Nevertheless certain motifs are conserved and appear to play a role in recognition. Disease assays showed that not all registered R4 potato clones recognize PiAvr4. A genetic marker instrumental for isolating R4 was developed.
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