Convergence Analysis of Rust Fungi and Anther Smuts Reveals Their Common Molecular Adaptation to a Phytoparasitic Lifestyle

• DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.863617
• Publication Date: 2022-04-08T04:56:05Z
• Authors: Xianzhen Zhou; Dan Yu; Zhimin Cao
• Keywords: Convergent evolution

Convergent evolution between distantly related taxa often mirrors adaptation to similar environments. Rust fungi and anther smuts, which belong different classes in Pucciniomycotina, have independently evolved a phytoparasitic lifestyle, representing an example of convergent the fungal kingdom. To investigate their adaptations genetic bases underlying lifestyles, we performed genome-wide convergence analysis amino acid substitutions, evolutionary rates, gene gains losses. substitutions were detected ATPeV0D RP-S27Ae , two genes important for generation turgor pressure ribosomal biosynthesis, respectively. A total 51 positively selected identified, including eight associated with translation three secretion pathway. In addition, rust smuts contained more proteins oligopeptide transporters vacuolar proteases than did other fungi. For these forms suggest four adaptive mechanisms lifestyle: 1) reducing metabolic demand hyphal growth penetration at pre-penetration stage, 2) maintaining efficiency protein synthesis during colonization, 3) ensuring normal rapidly evolving secreted proteins, 4) improving capacity metabolism. Our results are first shed light on molecular lifestyles