Pangenome-wide association study of quantitative pathogenicity in Zymoseptoria tritici

Knowledge of genetic determinism and evolutionary dynamics mediating host-pathogen interactions is essential to manage fungal plant diseases. Studies on the genetic architecture of fungal pathogenicity often focus on large-effect effector genes triggering strong, qualitative resistance. It is not clear how this translates to predominately quantitative interactions. Here, we use the Zymoseptoria tritici-wheat model to elucidate the genetic architecture of quantitative pathogenicity and mechanisms mediating host adaptation. With a multi-host genome-wide association study, we identify 19 high-confidence candidate genes associated with quantitative pathogenicity. Analysis of genetic diversity reveals that sequence polymorphism is the main evolutionary process mediating differences in quantitative pathogenicity, a process that is likely facilitated by genetic recombination and transposable element dynamics. Finally, we use functional approaches to confirm the role of an effector-like gene and a methyltransferase in phenotypic variation. This study highlights the complex genetic architecture of quantitative pathogenicity, extensive diversifying selection and plausible mechanisms facilitating pathogen adaptation.

Amezrou R, Ducasse A, Compain J, Lapalu N, Pitarch A, Dupont L, Confais J, Goyeau H, Kema GHJ, Croll D, Amselem J, Sanchez-Vallet A, Marcel TC. 2024. Quantitative pathogenicity and host adaptation in a fungal plant pathogen revealed by whole-genome sequencing. Nature Communications, 15, 1933 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-46191-1