Diagnosis of Phytoplasmas by Real-Time PCR Using Locked Nucleic Acid (LNA) Probes.

Phytoplasma infections are regularly reported worldwide, and concerns about their threats on agricultural production, especially in relation to global climate change, are increasing. Sensitive and reliable detection methods are important to ensure that propagation material is free of phytoplasma infection and for epidemiological studies that may provide information to limit the extent of phytoplasma diseases and to prevent large-scale crop losses. The detection method described here uses LNA chemistry in real-time PCR.

Detection of the Bacterial Potato Pathogens Pectobacterium and Dickeya spp. Using Conventional and Real-Time PCR.

Blackleg and soft rot of potato, caused by Pectobacterium and Dickeya spp., are major production constraints in many potato-growing regions of the world. Despite advances in our understanding of the causative organisms, disease epidemiology, and control, blackleg remains the principal cause of down-grading and rejection of potato seed in classification schemes across Northern Europe and many other parts of the world.

Draft genome sequences of 17 isolates of the plant pathogenic bacterium dickeya.

Dickeya (formerly Erwinia chrysanthemi) species cause diseases on a wide range of crops and ornamental plants worldwide. Here we present the draft sequences of 17 Dickeya isolates spanning four Dickeya species, including five isolates that are currently unassigned to a species.

Dickeya solani sp. nov., a pectinolytic plant-pathogenic bacterium isolated from potato (Solanum tuberosum).

Pectinolytic bacteria have been recently isolated from diseased potato plants exhibiting blackleg and slow wilt symptoms found in a number of European countries and Israel. These Gram-reaction-negative, motile, rods were identified as belonging to the genus Dickeya, previously the Pectobacterium chrysanthemi complex (Erwinia chrysanthemi), on the basis of production of a PCR product with the pelADE primers, 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, fatty acid methyl esterase analysis, the production of phosphatases and the ability to produce indole and acids from α-methylglucoside. Differential physiological assays used previously to differentiate between strains of E.

Draft Genome Sequences of Four Dickeya dianthicola and Four Dickeya solani Strains.

Dickeya dianthicola and "Dickeya solani" are currently the dominant bacterial pathogens of potatoes in Europe. Here, we present the draft genome sequences of four strains of each pathogen.

Classification, nomenclature, and plant pathogenic bacteria - a clarification.

ABSTRACT In a recent Letter to the Editor of Phytopathology, proposals were made for endorsement and for rejection of selected names of plant pathogenic Pseudomonas spp. and Xanthomonas spp. We believe that support for, and rejection of, several names was based on misconceptions concerning the Approved Lists of Bacterial Names and entails misinterpretations of several Rules of the International Code of Nomenclature of Bacteria.

Recommendation for the conservation of the name Streptomyces scabies. Request for an Opinion.

The primary streptomycete inciting common scab of potato was first legitimately described by Thaxter in 1892 as 'Oospora scabies', preserving the spelling of an epithet in use since 1846. The name Streptomyces scabies, dating to 1948, was revived in 1989, but changed to Streptomyces scabiei in 1997 to follow grammatical convention. Considering the long-established use and general recognition of 'scabies', it is proposed that the original epithet be conserved.

Identification of open reading frames unique to a select agent: Ralstonia solanacearum race 3 biovar 2.

An 8x draft genome was obtained and annotated for Ralstonia solanacearum race 3 biovar 2 (R3B2) strain UW551, a United States Department of Agriculture Select Agent isolated from geranium. The draft UW551 genome consisted of 80,169 reads resulting in 582 contigs containing 5,925,491 base pairs, with an average 64.5% GC content.

Application of oligonucleotide probes for the detection of Thiothrix spp. in activated sludge plants treating paper and board mill wastes.

Filamentous bacteria belonging to the genus Thiothrix were detected in activated sludge samples using the fluorescent in situ hybridisation (FISH) technique. A 16S rRNA-targeted oligonucleotide probe was developed for the detection of members of the T. fructosivorans group, and the performance of probe TNI for the detection of Thiothrix nivea group was enhanced by using an unlabeled competitor.

Development of a PCR test for the detection of Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens.

A chromosomal DNA library of the bacterial pathogen of bean, Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pv.flaccumfaciens NCPPB 559 was constructed in the plasmid pGEM-7Zf(+). Several clones were identified that hybridised to all Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pathovars including: C.

Acidovorax anthurii sp. nov., a new phytopathogenic bacterium which causes bacterial leaf-spot of anthurium.

The bacterial leaf-spot of anthurium emerged during the 1980s, in the French West Indies and Trinidad. This new bacterial disease is presently wide spread and constitutes a serious limiting factor for commercial anthurium production. Twenty-nine strains isolated from leaf-spots of naturally infected anthurium were characterized and compared with reference strains belonging to the Comamonadaceae family, the genera Ralstonia and Burkholderia, and representative fluorescent pseudomonads.

Extensin from suspension-cultured potato cells: a hydroxyproline-rich glycoprotein, devoid of agglutinin activity.

Enhanced deposition and cross-linking of hydroxyproline-rich glycoproteins (HRGPs) in the plant cell wall is acknowledged to contribute to the formation of a resistant barrier against pathogen infection. We have isolated, from suspension-cultured potato (Solanum tuberosum L. cv.

Bacteriocin Typing of Burkholderia (Pseudomonas) solanacearum Race 1 of the French West Indies and Correlation with Genomic Variation of the Pathogen.

Burkholderia solanacearum race 1 isolates indigenous to the French West Indies were characterized by bacteriocin typing and two genomic fingerprinting methods: pulsed-field gel electrophoresis of genomic DNA digested by rare-cutting restriction endonucleases (RC-PFGE) and PCR with primers corresponding to repetitive extragenic palindromic (REP), enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus (ERIC), and BOX elements (collectively known as rep-PCR). The survey comprised 24 reference strains and 65 isolates obtained from a field trial in Guadeloupe in 1993. Comparison of the data identified RC-PFGE as the most discriminatory method, delineating 17 pulsed-field gel profile types.

Antibiotics A21459 A and B, new inhibitors of bacterial protein synthesis. I. Taxonomy, isolation and characterization.

Novel cyclic peptide antibiotics A21459 A and B are produced by a member of the genus Actinoplanes sp. These antibiotics inhibit bacterial protein synthesis and have selective antimicrobial activity against clostridia, mycoplasma and some Gram-negative bacteria.

Genetic diversity of Burkholderia solanacearum (synonym Pseudomonas solanacearum) race 3 in Kenya.

Genetic diversity among isolates of the bacterial plant pathogen Burkholderia solanacearum (synonym Pseudomonas solanacearum) race 3 biovar II of Kenya was determined by PCR with repetitive sequences (ERIC and BOX repetitive primer sets) and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis of genomic DNA digested by rare-cutting restriction endonucleases (RC-PFGE). The study comprised 46 isolates collected during 1992 from the major potato-growing regions of Kenya (45 were identified as race 3 biovar II, and 1 belonged to race 3 biovar N2) and 39 reference isolates from 19 other countries. RC-PFGE identified 10 distinct profile types among the Kenyan race 3 biovar II isolates (29 of the isolates exhibited identical profiles) and a further 27 distinct profile types among the reference isolates.

Pyrolysis mass spectrometry as a method for the classification, identification and selection of actinomycetes.

Pilot experiments were designed to determine the potential of Curie-point pyrolysis mass spectrometry (PyMS) in the classification, identification and typing of industrially significant actinomycetes, and for the detection of target and novel actinomycetes needed for pharmacological screening programmes. The results indicate that the method is of value for the separation of actinomycetes at and below the species level, in the detection and circumscription of novel actinomycetes, and for the detection of identical and duplicated strains. There is also evidence that the pyrolysis system will permit the identification of target actinomycetes directly from selective isolation plates.

Antibiotic GE2270 a: a novel inhibitor of bacterial protein synthesis. I. Isolation and characterization.

A novel antibiotic, GE2270 A, was isolated from the fermentation broth of a strain of Planobispora rosea. The product was found to inhibit bacterial protein synthesis. Structural characteristics showed similarities between GE2270 A and thiazolyl peptides such as micrococcin which is known to inhibit protein synthesis by acting directly on the ribosome.

A high throughput assay for inhibitors of HIV-1 protease. Screening of microbial metabolites.

A novel method for discovery of HIV-1 protease inhibitors in complex biological samples has been developed. The assay is based on two specific reagents: a recombinant protein constituted by a portion of the HIV-1 Gag polyprotein comprising the p17-p24 cleavage site, fused to E. coli beta-galactosidase, and a monoclonal antibody which binds the fusion protein in the Gag region.