ARS | Publication request: Complete Genome Sequence of Chinese Strain of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’

Submitted to: Genome Announcements
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: March 15, 2013
Publication Date: N/A

Interpretive Summary: The complete genome sequence of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’ strain (Las) Guangxi-1(GX-1) was obtained by a high through-put next generation sequencing technology. The GX-1 strain possesses a single circular chromosome of 1,268,237 nucleotides with GC contentof 36.5%. Over 1,000 genes were predicted, based on computational analysis. Comparative genome analyses showed that the Las GX-1 genome and previously reported Las psy66 genome are similar in organization of predicted genes based on functional categories. In contrast to Las psy66 strain genome, two prophage segments were identified in the GX-1 genome which has 96-99% similarity with Las strain UF506. Comparative analyses of two Las genomes will provide new insights into genomic evolution and facilitate identification of critical genes and mechanism responsible for the disease.

Technical Abstract: The complete genome sequence of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’ strain (Las) Guangxi-1(GX-1) was obtained by an Illumina HiSeq 2000. The GX-1 genome comprises 1,268,237 nucleotides, 36.5 % GC content, 1,141 predicted coding sequences, 44 tRNAs, 3 complete copies of ribosomal RNA genes (16S, 23S and 5S) and 368 hypothetical genes. Comparative genome analyses showed the conserved synteny of the GX-1 genome and the previously sequenced Las psy66 genome. However, in contrast to the Las psy66 genome, two tandem aligned prophage segments were identified in the GX-1 genome. The average GC content in this prophage region is ~40%, significantly different from the core genome. The GX-1 prophage sequence has 96-99% similarity with Las strain UF506. Additional Las genome sequence permits comparative genome analysis and advances understanding of genomic evolution in Liberibacter.