By comparing the genomes to one another and to some previously sequenced fungal pathogens and symbionts, the researchers identified features in the rust fungi genomes that seem to coincide with their pathogenic lifestyles. For instance, they tracked down a slew of genes coding for so-called effectors — small, secreted proteins that help the fungi thwart plant defenses and set up shop in their hosts — along with other genetic clues about adaptations that have helped the fungi become specialized for life inside plants.
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