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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Fort Pierce, Florida » U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory » Subtropical Insects and Horticulture Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #290922

Title: Whole genome PCR sequencing strategy for ‘Candidatus’ Liberibacter asiaticus: Analyzing sequence diversity among U.S. isolates.

Author
item Shatters, Robert - Bob
item Morgan, John
item Stover, Eddie
item MOORE, GLORIA - University Of Florida
item Duan, Ping
item POWELL, CHARLES - University Of Florida

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/17/2012
Publication Date: 12/26/2016
Citation: Shatters, R.G., Morgan, J.K., Stover, E.W., Moore, G.A., Duan, Y., Powell, C.A. 2016. Whole genome PCR sequencing strategy for ‘Candidatus’ Liberibacter asiaticus: Analyzing sequence diversity among U.S. isolates [abstract]. International Research Citrus Huanglongbing, Orlando, Florida, February 4-8, 2013.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The inability to culture the ‘Candidatus’ Liberibacter asiaticus bacterium has greatly hindered research on the etiology of the citrus disease Huanglongbing which is caused by this bacterium. This is especially true with respect to possible links between strain/isolate diversity and disease symptom variations and development. Past genetic marker research indicates that there is considerable isolate diversity even within Florida (a location that has only recognized the presence of the disease since 2005); however, no effort has been made to correlate this diversity with symptom differences. To advance our understanding of CLas geographic spread and strain/isolate diversity, we have developed a whole-genome PCR amplification strategy that can be used in conjunction with next generation genome sequencing to rapidly obtain near whole genome sequence for specific isolates. This method was used to generate genome sequence data (~93% of the total genome with an average ~300x coverage) from numerous isolates within Florida that are known to be different with respect to previously characterized genetic markers, and also to compare genomic sequence with isolates that may induce different symptoms within citrus. Results will be presented that show the diversity among Florida isolates and will also be contextualized within the diversity observed sequence variation among global isolates.