A complex resistance locus in Solanum americanum recognizes a conserved Phytophthora effector

Nat Plants. 2021 Feb;7(2):198-208. doi: 10.1038/s41477-021-00854-9. Epub 2021 Feb 11.

Abstract

Late blight caused by Phytophthora infestans greatly constrains potato production. Many Resistance (R) genes were cloned from wild Solanum species and/or introduced into potato cultivars by breeding. However, individual R genes have been overcome by P. infestans evolution; durable resistance remains elusive. We positionally cloned a new R gene, Rpi-amr1, from Solanum americanum, that encodes an NRC helper-dependent CC-NLR protein. Rpi-amr1 confers resistance in potato to all 19 P. infestans isolates tested. Using association genomics and long-read RenSeq, we defined eight additional Rpi-amr1 alleles from different S. americanum and related species. Despite only ~90% identity between Rpi-amr1 proteins, all confer late blight resistance but differentially recognize Avramr1 orthologues and paralogues. We propose that Rpi-amr1 gene family diversity assists detection of diverse paralogues and alleles of the recognized effector, facilitating durable resistance against P. infestans.

MeSH terms

  • Chromosome Mapping*
  • Cloning, Molecular / methods*
  • Disease Resistance / genetics*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
  • Genes, Plant
  • Genomics
  • Phytophthora infestans / pathogenicity*
  • Plant Breeding / methods
  • Plant Diseases / genetics*
  • Plant Immunity / genetics*
  • Solanum / genetics*