Author
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ARMSTRONG, CHERYL |
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Duan, Ping |
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Hall, David |
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Submitted to: American Phytopathology Society
Publication Type: Abstract Only Publication Acceptance Date: 8/5/2009 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: This abstract describes a functional genomics study that was performed on a putative ATP/ADP translocase found through in silico analysis of the Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (Las) genome. Technical Abstract: Citrus huanglongbing (HLB), a disease currently threatening the citrus industry worldwide, has been associated with three different species of Alphaproteobacteria known as Candidatus Liberibacter. A complete genome sequence was recently obtained via metagenomics for Ca. L. asiaticus (Las), the prominent species of the bacteria found within the United States. Because of its rapid spread and devastating effects, efforts are underway to decipher the genetic information found within the genome of this obligate-intracellular pathogen for targets, which may be used to control this deadly disease. One putative protein target encoded by Las is that of an ATP/ADP translocase. This enzyme has been shown to directly import ATP into a cell from its surroundings, thus allowing the bacteria act as an energy parasite on its host. The ATP/ADP translocase identified in Las contains the 12 transmembrane helices typical of this class of proteins and has an isoelectric point of 9.3. Although the bacterial translocase has been characterized in other intercellular parasites such as Chlamydia trachomatis and Rickettsia prowazeki, it has not been characterized in a plant bacterial pathogen. Here, we have analyzed the use of this system as a possible target to combat the Ca. Liberibacter species. |
