Expressed Sequence Tags from the oomycete Plasmopara halstedii, an obligate parasite of the sunflower

To identify genes from the obligatory biotrophic oomycete Plasmopara halstedii that are expressed during infection in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) we employed the suppression subtraction hybridization (SSH) method from sunflower seedlings infected by P. halstedii. Using this method and random sequencing of clones, a total of 602 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) corresponding to 230 unique sequence sets were identified. To determine the origin of the unisequences, PCR primers were designed to amplify these gene fragments from genomic DNA isolated either from P. halstedii sporangia or from Helianthus annuus. Only 145 nonredundant ESTs which correspond to a total of 373 ESTs (67.7%) proved to be derived from P. halstedii genes and that are expressed during infection in sunflower. A set of 87 nonredundant sequences were identified as showing matches to sequences deposited in public databases. Nevertheless, about 7% of the ESTs seem to be unique to P. halstedii without any homolog in any public database.A summary of the assignment of nonredundant ESTs to functional categories as well as their relative abundance is listed and discussed. Annotation of the ESTs revealed a number of genes that could function in virulence. We provide a first glimpse into the gene content of P. halstedii. These resources should accelerate research on this important pathogen.Sunflower downy mildew is a major disease caused by the Oomycete Plasmopara halstedii (Farl.) Berl et de Toni. The first physiological race of this obligate parasitic oomycete has been identified by Zimmer in North America and Europe [1]. Both in compatible and incompatible interactions, host penetration occurs at the lower part of the hypocotyl [2]. Usually, about thirteen days after artificial infection of susceptible lines, the parasite invades almost all the plant tissues and is present in the cotyledons, epicotyls and leaves. In contrast, from the fifth days and onwards, a hypersensitive-like reaction develops within