ARS | Publication request: Multilocus sequence typing of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’ isolates in North America and New Zealand.

Submitted to: Journal of Plant Pathology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: October 11, 2011
Publication Date: January 18, 2012
Citation: Glynn, J.M., Bai, Y., Islam, M.S., Lan, S., Wen, A., Gudmestad, N.C., Civerolo, E.L., Lin, H. 2012. Multilocus sequence typing of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’ isolates in North America and New Zealand. Journal of Plant Pathology. Available: http://dx.doi.org/10.4454/jpp.fa.2012.007.

Interpretive Summary: A set of multiple sequence typing (MLST) markers for‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’ was developed. Using this marker system, genetic diversity of ‘Ca. L. solanacearum’ strains collected from North America (USA and Mexico) and New Zealand were investigated. Sequence variation detected by this marker system divided all strains into two types, ST-1 and ST2. Both ST-1 and ST-2 were identified in US populations. However, only one sequencing type was observed in Mexico (ST-1) and New Zealand (ST-2), respectively. This marker system provides a useful tool for genotyping and assessing genetic diversity of ‘Ca. L. solanacearum’ strains.

Technical Abstract: A panel of 10 multilocus sequence typing (MLST) markers for‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’ was developed. Using this marker system, genetic relationships among ‘Ca. L. solanacearum’ strains in North America (USA and Mexico) and New Zealand were characterized. MLST analysis differentiated 59 strains into two sequencing types (ST-1 and ST-2). Both types are present among US strains while only one type was detected in Mexico (ST-1) and New Zealand (ST-2), respectively. The results from MLST genotyping are consistent with the early report of two haplotype groups in North America (USA and Mexico) and New Zealand based on single nucleotide polymorphism analysis of ribosomal RNA genes. This marker system provides a useful tool for genotyping and assessing genetic diversity of ‘Ca. L. solanacearum’.