Gene-for-gene interactions in rust fungi

The study of gene-for-gene interactions uncovers genetic components, evolutionary impacts, and ecological/economic implications between rust fungi and plants.

Conversely, host plants utilize the gene-for-gene interaction to prevent invasion of rust fungi.

Co-evolution can help understand how the host-pathogen interactions adapt in natural environments, why they have fitness benefits/costs, and the agricultural impacts.

[citation needed] However, according to Littlefield,[1] not all rusts are obligate pathogens as some have been cultured without requiring a living host.

He specifically worked with the rust fungus, Melampsora lini, and the flax host, Linum usitatissimum.

[Flor 1956 1][5] Avirulent genes are the genetic makeup that determines the ability of the rust to infect its host.

[citation needed] Physiological races are the multiple strains of the rust fungi that differ in their behavior.

Thrall et al. explain how gene-for-gene models indicate that dispersal of pathogen-host interactions function outside of the lab, specifically in metapopulations.

The study determined that gene-for-gene exerts a fitness cost in both pathogen and host and affects their life histories.

Woolhouse et al. have suggested that further research into the exact genes involved in mutual polymorphism need to be examined at a cellular level.

[citation needed] Co-evolution involving gene-for-gene interactions is important to understand for evolutionary reasons.

[10] Zhan et al. found that mild winter temperatures showed a great increase in pathogen prevalence, leading to epidemics.

[10][clarification needed] Zhan et al. suggests that further research should be conducted into how a lack of pathogens might disrupt natural ecosystems leading to a change in the structure of communities and interactions.

[12] They suggest that knowing the genetics in these co-evolution/gene-for-gene interactions can help create technologies to alter crop immune systems.

Pecanka found that gene-for-gene exerts a fitness cost in the pathogen and host, which affects their life histories.

As Woolhouse states, a better understanding of co-evolution involving gene-for-gene interactions could possibly have biomedical importance, which can lead to new ways to fight diseases.

[8][clarification needed] Furthermore, Thompson and Burdon review unnatural evolution in agriculture, in which humans manipulate the evolutionary arms race.

The study found that the rust fungus showed high levels of extinction in warmer climates.

This result can help understand how a lack of pathogens might disrupt natural ecosystems and diversity of resistance genes in plants.

[10] Finally, Dodds and Rathjen explain how gene-for-gene interactions in rust fungi have economic consequences.

They suggest that knowing the genetics and co-evolution of gene-for-gene interactions can help strengthen plant immune systems, which will provide more efficient growth of crops.