Specific selection on XEG1 and XLP1 genes correlates with host range and adaptability in Phytophthora

Qi Zhang, Xi Chen, Haixia You, Bing Chen, Liyu Jia, Sizhe Li, Xinyu Zhang, Ji Ma, Xinyi Wu, Kaixiang Wang, Huanshan Liu, Haibin Jiang, Junhua Xiao, Haidong Shu, Zhichao Zhang, Min Qiu, Yeqiang Xia, Han Chen, Yan Wang, Wenwu Ye, Suomeng Dong, Zhenchuan Ma () and Yuanchao Wang ()
Additional contact information
Qi Zhang: Nanjing Agricultural University
Xi Chen: Nanjing Agricultural University
Haixia You: Nanjing Agricultural University
Bing Chen: Nanjing Agricultural University
Liyu Jia: Nanjing Agricultural University
Sizhe Li: Nanjing Agricultural University
Xinyu Zhang: Nanjing Agricultural University
Ji Ma: Nanjing Agricultural University
Xinyi Wu: Nanjing Agricultural University
Kaixiang Wang: Nanjing Agricultural University
Huanshan Liu: Nanjing Agricultural University
Haibin Jiang: Nanjing Agricultural University
Junhua Xiao: Nanjing Agricultural University
Haidong Shu: Nanjing Agricultural University
Zhichao Zhang: Nanjing Agricultural University
Min Qiu: Nanjing Agricultural University
Yeqiang Xia: Nanjing Agricultural University
Han Chen: Nanjing Agricultural University
Yan Wang: Nanjing Agricultural University
Wenwu Ye: Nanjing Agricultural University
Suomeng Dong: Nanjing Agricultural University
Zhenchuan Ma: Nanjing Agricultural University
Yuanchao Wang: Nanjing Agricultural University

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-11

Abstract: Abstract In diverse Phytophthora-plant pathosystems, Phytophthora secretes XLP1 (PsXEG1-Like Protein), a non-enzymatic paralog that functions as a decoy to protect XEG1 (Xyloglucan-specific Endoglucanase) from host inhibitors. Here, we show that the genus-specific selection pressures on the XEG1/XLP1 gene pair are crucial for host adaptation and are closely linked to Phytophthora host range. Our findings reveal that the XEG1/XLP1 gene pair originated within Phytophthora and subsequently evolved into genus-specific genes, undergoing functional divergence driven by preferential selection. Positive selection sites within the XEG1/XLP1 gene pair in Phytophthora contribute to this functional divergence and are associated with the host range variability of Phytophthora as evidenced by multivariate statistical analyses. Furthermore, mutations at key selection sites in Phytophthora sojae and Phytophthora capsici significantly impair their pathogenicity, with P. capsici exhibiting almost no colonization expansion on tobacco and pea. Notably, natural Phytophthora populations harbor mutations at the positive selection sites, indicating ongoing evolutionary pressures on the XEG1/XLP1 gene pair.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-58770-x

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