Comparative transcriptomics reveals conserved infection-associated gene expression in Phytophthora agathidicida across its natural gymnosperm host kauri and the model angiosperm host Nicotiana benthamiana.

P. agathidicida employs a largely conserved infection gene set across gymnosperm and angiosperm hosts, with 1129 core genes upregulated in both A. australis and N. benthamiana.

• Why it matters: Understanding the molecular mechanisms of P. agathidicida infection is crucial for managing its devastating effects on kauri trees, but studying its natural host is challenging. Using a model plant like N. benthamiana offers a practical alternative for functional analysis, yet its relevance needed validation.
• What they did: Researchers compared gene expression profiles of P. agathidicida in N. benthamiana leaves and roots to previous data from A. australis, identifying a core set of infection-related genes and noting host-specific differences.
• The result: Findings support N. benthamiana as a suitable model for studying P. agathidicida, revealing conserved infection strategies and identifying host-specific genes, such as a CAP protein that enhances pathogen growth only in N. benthamiana.