Comparative genomic analysis of Ralstonia solanacearum reveals candidate genes for host specificity

Ailloud, F; Lowe, T; Cellier, G; Roche, D; Allen, C; Prior, P

HERO ID

3539413

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2015

Language

English

PMID

25888333

HERO ID 3539413
In Press No
Year 2015
Title Comparative genomic analysis of Ralstonia solanacearum reveals candidate genes for host specificity
Authors Ailloud, F; Lowe, T; Cellier, G; Roche, D; Allen, C; Prior, P
Journal BMC Genomics
Volume 16
Page Numbers 270
Abstract <strong>BACKGROUND: </strong>Ralstonia solanacearum is a vascular soil-borne plant pathogen with an unusually broad host range. This economically destructive and globally distributed bacterium has thousands of distinct lineages within a heterogeneous and taxonomically disputed species complex. Some lineages include highly host-adapted strains (ecotypes), such as the banana Moko disease-causing strains, the cold-tolerant potato brown rot strains (also known as R3bv2) and the recently emerged Not Pathogenic to Banana (NPB) strains.<br /><br /><strong>RESULTS: </strong>These distinct ecotypes offer a robust model to study host adaptation and the emergence of ecotypes because the polyphyletic Moko strains include lineages that are phylogenetically close to the monophyletic brown rot and NPB strains. Draft genomes of eight new strains belonging to these three model ecotypes were produced to complement the eleven publicly available R. solanacearum genomes. Using a suite of bioinformatics methods, we searched for genetic and evolutionary features that distinguish ecotypes and propose specific hypotheses concerning mechanisms of host adaptation in the R. solanacearum species complex. Genome-wide, few differences were identified, but gene loss events, non-synonymous polymorphisms, and horizontal gene transfer were identified among type III effectors and were associated with host range differences.<br /><br /><strong>CONCLUSIONS: </strong>This extensive comparative genomics analysis uncovered relatively few divergent features among closely related strains with contrasting biological characteristics; however, several virulence factors were associated with the emergence of Moko, NPB and brown rot and could explain host adaptation.
Doi 10.1186/s12864-015-1474-8
Pmid 25888333
Wosid WOS:000352697200001
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Is Public Yes
Language Text English