In silico identification of novel virulent protein of phytophthora infestans related to late blight disease

Phytophthora infestans (Mont.) de Bary, oomycetes model organism is a destructive pathogen having a broad host range within Solanaceae family resulting in devastating economic losses every year. It causes late blight of Solanum tuberosum (potato) and S. lycopersicum (tomato). Current studies of the host-pathogen system emphasize on gene expression pattern of the Solanaceae members neglecting pathogen gene expression. In this paper the molecular properties of virulent proteins were investigated and classified on the basis of their functional, biophysical and biochemical properties. Bio-computational investigations and statistical analysis of the protein sequences was done. IpiO (ACU56995.1) one of the known virulent protein responsible for the disease, showed its similarity with HSF-type DNA-binding (EEY62722.1) non-virulent protein. Molecular modeling of the non-virulent protein was done. Modeled structure provided substantial parameters under Ramachandran plot, stereo-chemical aspects of the model was evaluated using RAMPAGE web server. Comparative genomic approach, and at a more basic level characterizations of P. infestans virulent proteins as well as understanding the perturbations they facilitate in plants will greatly enhance one's understanding of P. infestans virulence and host specificity.