{
  "id": 277541,
  "title": "Mobile fungal 'Starship' carries protein that triggers crop leaf loss",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/07/mobile-fungal-starship-carries-protein-that-triggers-crop-leaf-loss",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-08-07T18:40:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Phys.org",
    "slug": "phys-org",
    "url": "https://phys.org/news/2026-08-mobile-fungal-starship-protein-triggers.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "An international team of researchers, led by plant scientist Professor Dr. Bart Thomma from the University of Cologne, has identified the genetic region responsible for a specific protein produced by the pathogenic fungus Verticillium dahliae. This protein is a key driver of leaf loss in infected host plants, such as cotton and olive trees, and determines the fungus's virulence. Published in Nature Communications, the study reveals that the gene for this leaf-losing protein is located on a large, mobile genetic element known as a \"Starship.\" This mobile element can transfer genes between different fungal species, potentially spreading virulence traits across various pathogenic fungi. The discovery of this genetic component, which is also present in remnants of similar mobile elements in other wilt-disease-causing fungi, could pave the way for novel strategies to detect and control highly virulent fungal strains. By understanding the genetic basis of leaf loss, researchers may develop targeted detection methods and even breed or genetically modify resistant varieties of cotton and olive plants, ultimately mitigating the significant crop losses caused by Verticillium dahliae infections.",
  "summary": "An international research team led by plant scientist Professor Dr. Bart Thomma of the Institute of Plant Sciences at the University of Cologne, the MiBiNet Collaborative Research Center and the CEPLAS Cluster of Excellence for Plant Sciences has identified the region of the genome in the pathogenic fungus Verticillium dahliae responsible for producing a specific protein that the pathogen…",
  "key_points": [
    "Researchers identify genetic region for protein triggering crop leaf loss",
    "Protein produced by Verticillium dahliae drives leaf loss in hosts",
    "Gene for leaf-losing protein located on mobile genetic element called Starship"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}