Characterisation and Mutagenesis Study of An Alternative Sigma Factor Gene () from Reveal Its Central Role in Papaya Dieback Disease.

The alternative sigma (σ) factor E, RpoE or HrpL, has been reported to be involved in stress- and pathogenicity-related transcription initiation in and many other Gram-negative bacteria, including spp. and spp. A previous study identified the / transcript as one of the significant differentially expressed genes (DEGs) during early infection in papaya and those data serve as the basis of the current project.

Erwinia mallotivora sp., a new pathogen of papaya (Carica papaya) in Peninsular Malaysia.

Erwinia mallotivora was isolated from papaya infected with dieback disease showing the typical symptoms of greasy, water-soaked lesions and spots on leaves. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the strain belonged to the genus Erwinia and was united in a monophyletic group with E. mallotivora DSM 4565 (AJ233414).