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Gene transfer between fungal species triggers repeated coffee wilt disease outbreaks

Summary

A new study reveals that coffee wilt disease, which has destroyed coffee crops across Africa, emerges repeatedly because of gene-swapping between different fungal species. Scientists discovered that large chunks of DNA called ‘Starships’ act like genetic delivery vehicles, transferring disease-causing genes from one fungus to another. This genetic exchange allows the pathogen to adapt and infect different coffee plant species, causing successive outbreaks. Understanding this mechanism could help protect global coffee production in the future.

Background

Coffee wilt disease (CWD), caused by the fungus Fusarium xylarioides, has devastated African coffee production in two major outbreaks. Until recently, the pathogen’s genetic diversity and mechanisms of emergence have been poorly understood due to confusion surrounding identification and fragmented knowledge of past outbreaks.

Objective

To understand the role of horizontal gene transfer (HGT) via Starship transposons between fungal species in the repeated emergence and host adaptation of Fusarium xylarioides causing coffee wilt disease across Africa.

Results

The study identified at least 4 distinct strain types of F. xylarioides, with two host-specific strains (‘Arabica’ and ‘Robusta’) that arose through HGT facilitated by Starships in independent events. Large genomic regions containing pathogenicity genes were acquired from F. oxysporum and likely contributed to host specificity and repeated disease emergence.

Conclusion

Horizontal gene transfer via Starship transposons between fungal species played a key role in the repeated emergence of coffee wilt disease and adaptation to different Coffea hosts. Understanding these HGT mechanisms is essential for managing future CWD outbreaks and safeguarding global coffee production.
  • Published in:PLoS Biology,
  • Study Type:Comparative Genomics Study,
  • Source: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002901, PMID: 39642107
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