J. Win

Multiple horizontal mini-chromosome transfers drive genome evolution of clonal blast fungus lineages

The paper identifies horizontal mini-chromosome transfers in clonal blast fungus lineages, showing genetic exchange between host-associated isolates.

Zinc-finger (ZiF) fold secreted effectors form a functionally diverse family across lineages of the blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae.

The paper identifies a functionally diverse family of Zinc-finger fold effectors in Magnaporthe oryzae, showing functional specialization across host species.

Wild grass isolates of Magnaporthe (Syn. Pyricularia) spp. from Germany can cause blast disease on cereal crops

The paper identifies wild grass hosts of the blast fungus Magnaporthe in Germany, showing their potential to infect cereal crops and spread disease.

Disentangling the complex gene interaction networks between rice and the blast fungus identifies a new pathogen effector

A pandemic clonal lineage of the wheat blast fungus

The paper identifies a pandemic clonal lineage of the wheat blast fungus that originated in South America and spread to Asia and Africa, showing it can be controlled by Rmg8 but may develop fungicide resistance and recombine with African lineages.

A single amino acid polymorphism in a conserved effector of the multihost blast fungus pathogen expands host-target binding spectrum

The paper identifies a single amino acid change in APikL2 that expands its host-target binding spectrum through altered hydrogen-bonding networks.

Host-interactor screens of Phytophthora infestans RXLR proteins reveal vesicle trafficking as a major effector-targeted process

This study identifies host processes targeted by Phytophthora infestans RXLR effectors through protein-protein interaction screens, revealing vesicle trafficking as a major effector-targeted process.

Recently expanded clonal lineages of the rice blast fungus display distinct patterns of presence/absence of effector genes

The paper reconstructs the genetic history of the rice blast fungus, identifying three clonal lineages with distinct effector gene presence/absence patterns associated with rice blast pandemics.

Cleavage of a pathogen apoplastic protein by plant subtilases activates immunity

This study shows that cleavage of a pathogen protein by plant proteases activates immunity, while pathogens counteract this with inhibitors.

An N-terminal motif in NLR immune receptors is functionally conserved across distantly related plant species

The paper identifies a conserved N-terminal motif in plant NLR immune receptors and shows its functional conservation across species.

The MoT3 assay does not distinguish between Magnaporthe oryzae wheat and rice blast isolates from Bangladesh

The paper evaluates the MoT3 assay's ability to distinguish wheat and rice blast isolates of Magnaporthe oryzae from Bangladesh and finds it fails to do so.