The Phytophthora genus is composed, mainly, of plant pathogens. This genus belongs to the Oomycete class, also known as "pseudo-fungi", within the Chromista Kingdom. Phytophthora spp. is highlighted due to the significant plant diseases that they cause, which represents some of the most economically and cultural losses, such as European chestnut ink disease, which is caused by P. cinnamomi. Currently, there have been four genome assemblies placed at the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), although the progress to understand and elucidate the pathogenic process of P. cinnamomi by its genome is progressing slowly. In this review paper, we aim to report and discuss the recent findings related to P. cinnamomi and its genomic information. Our research is based on paper databases that reported probable functions to P. cinnamomi proteins using sequence alignments, bioinformatics, and biotechnology approaches. Some of these proteins studied have functions that are proposed to be involved in the asexual sporulation and zoosporogenesis leading to the host colonization and consequently associated with pathogenicity. Some remarkable genes and proteins discussed here are related to oospore development, inhibition of sporangium formation and cleavage, inhibition of flagellar assembly, blockage of cyst germination and hyphal extension, and biofilm proteins. Lastly, we report some biotechnological approaches using biological control, studies with genome sequencing of P. cinnamomi resistant plants, and gene silencing through RNA interference (iRNA).
While we have a basic understanding of the functioning of the gene when coding sequences of specific proteins, we feel the lack of information on the role that DNA has on specific diseases or functions of thousands of proteins that are produced. Bioinformatics combines the methods used in the collection, storage, identification, analysis, and correlation of this huge and complex information. All this work produces an "ocean" of information that can only be "sailed" with the help of computerized methods. The goal is to provide scientists with the right means to explain normal biological processes, dysfunctions of these processes which give rise to disease and approaches that allow the discovery of new medical cures. Recently, sequencing platforms, a large scale of genomes and transcriptomes, have created new challenges not only to the genomics but especially for bioinformatics. The intent of this article is to compile a list of tools and information resources used by scientists to treat information from the massive sequencing of recent platforms to new generations and the applications of this information in different areas of life sciences including medicine.
which represents a concerning economic problem, mainly in Portugal [2].The current management strategies for P. cinnamomi are limited due to the difficulty in diagnosis, as the plants remain symptomless until the late stages of the infection [3]. The prevention of soil flood and excessive moisture is a control strategy for this oomycete insofar as high soil moisture provides favorable conditions for P. cinnamomi to produce and increase the dispersal of zoospores [3,4]. The use of convenient irrigation and drainage techniques is used to avoid the growth of the soil-borne pathogen; however, they are effective only when the soil is not contaminated with zoospores. In this particular scenario, the soil needs to be cleaned with fumigation and other appropriate agrochemicals, to purge the P. cinnamomi [1,5]. Further management techniques include the use of seed treatments and resistant cultivars in zoospores-free soil and crop rotation. Whereas the first offers some flexibility to the producers, the last one is not widely used due to limitations of planting lands and the long-term survival of P. cinnamomi zoospores [6,7].The most commonly used management strategies for P. cinnamomi are phosphonate-based chemical fungicides (e.g. potassium phosphite) and phenylamide compounds (e.g. mefenoxam) [1,8]. Both of these fungicides are effective Altino Choupina
Phytophthora cinnamomi is an Oomycete considered one of the most widespread and destructive pathogens on the planet. Its geographic presence is cosmopolitan and the range of hosts is regarded as one of the largest. This pathogen causes enormous economic damages to important cultures worldwide; this has helped to attract the attention of the scientific community. It is the causal agent of chestnut "ink" disease (Castanea sativa Miller). The chestnut tree has different applications, besides chestnut and wood, it plays an important role in soil ecology and biodiversity. Therefore it is important to know the molecular mechanisms (genes and proteins) that are the basis of the Castanea sativa infestation process by Phytophthora cinnamomi and the nature of the pathogen-host interaction in order to establish strategies to combat and control this parasite. With bioinformatics tools, we were able to identify and characterize the Avr3a gene in genomic sequences of P. cinnamomi deposited in the Databases. This gene encodes a recognized 209 aminoacids, protein in the host cytoplasm where it triggers cell death.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.