Homologues of the Cf-9 disease resistance gene (Hcr9s) are present at multiple loci on the short arm of tomato chromosome 1

The tomato Cf-4 and Cf-9 genes map at a genetically complex locus on the short arm of chromosome 1 and confer resistance against Cladosporium fulvum through recognition of different pathogen-encoded avirulence determinants. Cf-4 and Cf-9 are members of a large gene family (Hcr9s, Homologues of Cladosporium fulvum resistance gene Cf-9), some of which encode additional distinct recognition specificities. A genetic analysis of the majority of Hcr9s suggests that their distribution is spatially restricted to the short arm of chromosome 1. Two loci of clustered Hcr9 genes have been analyzed physically that mapped distal (Northern Lights) and proximal (Southern Cross) to the Cf-4/9 locus (Milky Way). Sequence homologies between intergenic regions at Southern Cross and Milky Way indicate local Hcr9 duplication preceded cluster multiplication. The multiplication of clusters involved DNA flanking Hcr9 sequences as indicated by conserved lipoxygenase sequences at Southern Cross and Milky Way. The similar spatial distribution of Hcr9 clusters in different Lycopersicon spp. suggests Hcr9 cluster multiplication preceded speciation.