Genes which confer partial resistance to the rusts in wheat figure prominently in discussions of potential durable resistance strategies. The positional cloning of the first of these genes, Lr34/Yr18 and Yr36, has revealed different protein structures, suggesting that the category of partial resistance genes, as defined by phenotype, likely groups together suites of functionally heterogenous genes. With the number of mapped partial rust resistance genes increasing rapidly as a result of ongoing advances in marker and sequencing technologies, breeding programs needing to select and prioritize genes for deployment confront a fundamental question: which genes or gene combinations are more likely to provide durable protection against these evolving pathogens? We argue that a refined classification of partial rust resistance genes is required to start answering this question, one based not merely on disease phenotype but also on gene cloning, molecular functional characterization, and interactions with other host and pathogen proteins. Combined with accurate and detailed disease phenotyping and standard genetic studies, an integrated wheat-rust interactome promises to provide the basis for a functional classification of partial resistance genes and thus a conceptual framework for their rational deployment.

中文翻译：

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对小麦锈病的持久抗性：整合系统生物学和传统的基于表型的研究方法来指导抗性基因的部署

赋予小麦锈病部分抗性的基因在潜在的持久抗性策略的讨论中占有突出地位。第一个基因 Lr34/Yr18 和 Yr36 的位置克隆揭示了不同的蛋白质结构，这表明部分抗性基因的类别，如表型所定义，可能将功能异质基因组合在一起。随着标记和测序技术的不断进步，定位的部分锈病抗性基因的数量迅速增加，育种计划需要选择和优先部署基因，面临一个基本问题：哪些基因或基因组合更有可能针对这些不断进化的病原体提供持久保护？我们认为，开始回答这个问题需要对部分锈病抗性基因进行精细分类，分类不仅基于疾病表型，还基于基因克隆、分子功能表征以及与其他宿主和病原体蛋白质的相互作用。结合准确详细的疾病表型分析和标准遗传研究，整合的小麦-锈病相互作用组有望为部分抗性基因的功能分类提供基础，从而为其合理部署提供概念框架。