Evolutionary Analysis of Pectin Lyases of the Genus Colletotrichum

Pectin lyases (PNLs) are important enzymes that are involved in plant cell wall degradation during the infection process. Colletotrichum is a diverse genus of fungi, which allows the study of the evolution of PNLs and their possible role in pathogen–host interactions and lifestyle adaptations. The phylogenetic reconstruction of PNLs from Colletotrichum and analysis of selection pressures showed the formation of protein lineages by groups of species with different selection pressures and specific patterns. The analysis of positive selection at individual sites using different methods allowed for the identification of three codons with evidence of positive selection in the oligosaccharide-binding region and two codons on the antiparallel sheet, which may influence the interaction with the substrate. Seven codons on the surface of the protein, mainly in the peripheral helices of the PNLs, could have an important function in evasion of plant defenses, as has been proposed in other enzymes. According to our results, it is possible that events of genetic duplication occurred in ancestral lines, followed by episodes of genetic diversification and gene loss, probably influenced by differences in the composition of the host cell wall. Additionally, different patterns of evolution in Colletotrichum appear to be molded by a strong purifying selection and positive selection episodes that forged the observed evolutionary patterns, possibly influenced by host interaction or substrate specificity. This work represents a starting point for the study of sites that may be important for evasion of plant defenses and biotechnological purposes.