Data_Sheet_1_Expansion and Divergence of Argonaute Genes in the Oomycete Genus Phytophthora.pdf

Modulation of gene expression through RNA interference is well conserved in eukaryotes and is involved in many cellular processes. In the oomycete Phytophthora, research on the small RNA machinery and function has started to reveal potential roles in the pathogen, but much is still unknown. We examined Argonaute (AGO) homologs within oomycete genome sequences, especially among Phytophthora species, to gain a clearer understanding of the evolution of this well-conserved protein family. We identified AGO homologs across many representative oomycete and stramenopile species, and annotated representative homologs in P. sojae. Furthermore, we demonstrate variable transcript levels of all identified AGO homologs in comparison to previously identified Dicer-like (DCL) and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RDR) homologs. Our phylogenetic analysis further refines the relationship of the AGO homologs in oomycetes and identifies a conserved tandem duplication of AGO homologs in a subset of Phytophthora species.

通过RNA干扰调节基因表达在真核生物中得到了高度保守，并在众多细胞过程中发挥着重要作用。在卵菌门真菌类植物病原体Pythium中，对微小RNA机制及其功能的研究刚刚开始揭示其在病原体中的潜在角色，然而其中许多内容仍处于未知状态。我们研究了卵菌基因组序列中的Argonaute（AGO）同源物，特别是Pythium物种中的同源物，以更深入地理解这一高度保守的蛋白质家族的进化。我们在许多代表性的卵菌和狭义拟卵菌物种中鉴定了AGO同源物，并在P. sojae中注释了代表性同源物。此外，我们比较了所鉴定所有AGO同源物的转录水平与之前确定的Dicer样（DCL）和RNA依赖性RNA聚合酶（RDR）同源物。我们的系统发育分析进一步细化了卵菌中AGO同源物之间的关系，并在Pythium物种的子集中发现了一种保守的AGO同源物串联重复。