T. Kroj

Adaptive evolution in virulence effectors of the rice blast fungus Pyricularia oryzae

This paper investigates the evolutionary forces shaping MAX effector diversity in Pyricularia oryzae, showing positive selection on structural elements and host adaptation through gene loss.

Extensive immune receptor repertoire diversity in disease-resistant rice landraces

The paper examines NLR sequence diversity in rice landraces and modern varieties, finding higher diversity and balancing selection in landraces, suggesting their value for disease resistance.

Design of a new effector recognition specificity in a plant NLR immune receptor by molecular engineering of its integrated decoy domain

This study demonstrates that molecular engineering of the integrated decoy domain of an NLR can expand its effector recognition spectrum to a new effector.

The blast pathogen effector AVR-Pik binds and stabilizes rice heavy metal-associated (HMA) proteins to co-opt their function in immunity

This study shows that the fungal effector AVR-Pik binds and stabilizes rice HMA proteins, co-opting their function to suppress immunity, while also triggering immunity in plants with integrated HMA domains in NLRs.

Ecological Differentiation Among Globally Distributed Lineages of the Rice Blast Fungus Pyricularia oryzae

This study shows that genetic and phenotypic diversity in the rice blast fungus Pyricularia oryzae leads to niche separation and reproductive isolation among its lineages due to environmental conditions and host specialization.