Gene transfer between fungal species triggers repeated coffee wilt disease outbreaks

Loading...
Thumbnail Image

Authors

Wingfield, Brenda D.
Wingfield, Michael J.

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Public Library of Science

Abstract

Two outbreaks of coffee wilt disease have devastated African coffee production. A PLOS Biology study suggests that horizontal gene transfer via large Starship transposons between 2 fungal species played a key role in the repeated emergence of the disease.

Description

Keywords

Outbreaks, Disease, African coffee production, Gene transfer, Coffee wilt disease, SDG-02: Zero hunger, SDG-12: Responsible consumption and production

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG-02:Zero Hunger
SDG-12:Responsible consumption and production

Citation

Wingfield, B.D. & Wingfield, M.J. (2024) Gene transfer between fungal species triggers repeated coffee wilt disease outbreaks. PLoS Biology 22(12): e3002901. https://DOI.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.3002901.