DETERMINATION OF GENES CONFERRING HOST SPECIFICITY IN GRAPE STRAINS OF XYLELLA FASTIDIOSA USING WHOLE-GENOMIC DNA MICROARRAYS

• Author(s): Lindow, Steven; Richardson, Paul;
• Abstract: The genomic sequence of several Xylella fastidiosa (Xf) strains, including one pathogenic to grape (strain Temecula1) have been determined. While these strains share most genes, the difference in host range that they exhibit is presumably due at least in part to unique traits that each pathovar possesses. Some of these strains originating from host plants other than grape do not sustain viable populations or are not virulent in grape. Using microarray technology and Xf Temecula1 as the reference strain, those genes present in the grape strain but not in strains that are unable to grow in grape can be determined through subtractive analysis. A 70-mer-oligonucleotide microarray representing 2543 of the 2574 predicted ORFs of Xf Temecula1 was designed. Xf Temecula1 genes identified as putative host-specificity genes of will be subjected to further analysis. Identifying host-specific genes of the grape strain will allow us to target those genes in gene-knockout studies and determine their contribution to virulence in grape.
• Publication Date: Aug 2003
• Journal: 2003 Pierce's Disease Research Symposium