Multiplex PCR for the identification of Agrobacterium biovar 3 strains

A biovar 3-specific primer set Ab3-F3/Ab3-R4 was designed based on the comparison of sequences of the 16S rDNA region of agrobacteria and related rhizobia for rapid identification of Agrobacterium biovar 3 strains. A 570-bp 16S rDNA fragment was amplified from cell lysates of Agrobacterium biovar 3 strains by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using Ab3-F3/Ab3-R4 primers. Discrimination of Agrobacterium tumefaciens biovar 3 from Agrobacterium radiobacter biovar 3 and of Agrobacterium biovar 3 strains from other Agrobacterium strains was done simultaneously using multiplex PCR with a mixture of two primer sets (Ab3-F3/Ab3-R4 and VCF3/VCR3) previously designed for the virC region of Ti-plasmid and Ri-plasmid.     

Rapid and Specific Detection of Virulent Pseudomonas avellanae Strains by PCR Amplification

Specific oligonucleotides, based on hrpW (hypersensitive response and pathogenicity) gene sequences encoding harpin protein in phytopathogenic bacteria, were designed to detect and identify virulent strains of Pseudomonas avellanae by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A population of virulent P. avellanae strains, isolated in central Italy (Viterbo region), was assessed with hrpW-derived primers, producing a specific band of about 350 base pairs in length. This target was successfully amplified from purified genomic DNA, from bacterial culture and from hazelnut bark tissue. No amplification was obtained when the PCR assay was performed on other plant-pathogenic species from the following genera Agrobacterium, Erwinia, Brenneria, Pseudomonas, Ralstonia, Xanthomonas or from hazelnut-associated bacteria, indicating the specificity of these primers. Moreover DNA from strain ISPaVe-MCB-596, isolated from north Italy (Piedmont region) and belonging to the less aggressive population of P. avellanae, did not amplify in PCR. The PCR assay with the primers described here provides a rapid, specific and sensitive diagnostic method for virulent P. avellanae strains and a useful tool to evaluate the progress of sanitation of the area.     

Detection of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Agrobacterium vitis</Emphasis> by PCR using novel <Emphasis Type="Italic">virD2</Emphasis> gene-specific primers that discriminate two subgroups

Tumour tissue samples were collected from vines grown in various regions of Italy and other parts of Europe and extracted for detection of Agrobacterium vitis. Fifty strains were isolated on agar plates and screened by PCR with consensus primers from the virD2 gene. They were confirmed as A. vitis with a species-specific monoclonal antibody. The isolates were further analyzed by PCR for their opine synthase genes and ordered into octopine, nopaline and vitopine strains. Primers designed on the octopine synthase gene did not detect octopine strains of Agrobacterium tumefaciens. For quantitative PCR, virD2 fragments were sequenced: two classes of virD2 genes were found and two primer sets designed, which detected octopine and nopaline strains or only vitopine strains. For simultaneous identification of all opine-type strains, multiplex real-time PCR with either primer pair and SYBR Green was performed: the combined sets of primers gave signals with DNA from any A. vitis strain. Specificity of the new primers for real-time PCR was evaluated using several unidentified bacterial isolates from grapevines and other plant species. An elevated level of non-specific background was observed when the combined primer sets were used in multiplex PCR assays. The real-time PCR protocol was also used to detect A. vitis cells directly from grapevine tumours; avoiding direct isolation procedures a sensitivity in the range of one to ten cells per assay was found. Inhibition of the PCR reaction by plant material was overcome by treating tumour extracts with a DNA purification kit as a step for the isolation of nucleic acids.     

Development of a specific molecular tool for detecting Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum

A specific and rapid diagnostic tool has been developed to detect Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum, the causal agent of bacterial wilt of banana. PCR primers were developed from intergenic regions of X. campestris pv. musacearum following its partial sequence. A total of 48 primers were tested for specificity to X. campestris pv. musacearum strains collected from various regions in Uganda. These were also tested for specificity against related Xanthomonas species from the vasicola group, Xanthomonas species pathogenic to other crops, and against those existing saprophytically on banana plants. Seven primer sets (Xcm12, Xcm35, Xcm36, Xcm38, Xcm44, Xcm47 and Xcm48) were found to be very specific to X. campestris pv. musacearum. These primer sets directed the amplification of the expected product for all 52 strains of X. campestris pv. musacearum collected from different locations in Uganda. No amplification products were obtained with unrelated phytopathogenic bacteria or endophytic/epiphytic bacteria from banana. A detection limit of 10³ CFU mL^?1 corresponding to about four cells per PCR reaction was observed when X. campestris pv. musacearum cells were used for all the seven primer sets. The DNA samples from symptomless plant tissues also tested positive with primer set Xcm38. The specific PCR method described here is a valuable diagnostic tool which can be used to detect the pathogen at early stages of infection and monitor disease.     

Detection of phytopathogens of the genus Dickeya using a PCR primer prediction pipeline for draft bacterial genome sequences

This study used a novel computational pipeline to exploit draft bacterial genome sequences in order to predict, automatically and rapidly, PCR primer sets for Dickeya spp. that were unbiased in terms of diagnostic gene choice. This pipeline was applied to 16 draft and four complete Dickeya genome sequences to generate >700 primer sets predicted to discriminate between Dickeya at the species level. Predicted diagnostic primer sets for both D. dianthicola (DIA‐A and DIA‐B) and ‘D. solani’ (SOL‐C and SOL‐D) were validated against a panel of 70 Dickeya reference strains, representative of the known diversity of this genus, to confirm primer specificity. The classification of the four previously sequenced strains was re‐examined and evidence of possible misclassification of three of these strains is presented.     

Detection of Phytophthora nicotianae and P. citrophthora in Citrus Roots and Soils by Nested PCR

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used for the specific detection of Phytophthora nicotianae and P. citrophthora in citrus roots and soils. Primers were based on the nucleotide sequences of the internal transcribed space regions (ITS1 and ITS2) of 16 different species of Phytophthora. Two primer pairs, Pn5B–Pn6 and Pc2B–Pc7, were designed specifically to amplify DNA from P. nicotianae and P. citrophthora, respectively. Another primer pair (Ph2–ITS4) was designed to amplify DNA from many Phytophthora species. All primer pairs were assessed for specificity and absence of cross-reactivity, using DNA from 118 isolates of Phytophthora and 82 of other common soil fungi. In conventional PCR, with a 10-fold dilution series of template DNA, the limit of detection was of 1pgl^–1 DNA for all the primer pairs (Ph2–ITS4, Pn5B–Pn6, and Pc2B–Pc7). In nested PCR, with primers Ph2–ITS4 in the first round, the detection limit was of 1fgl^–1 for both the primer sets (Pn5B–Pn6 and Pc2B–Pc7). Simple, inexpensive and rapid procedures for direct extraction of DNA from soil and roots were developed. The method yielded DNA of a purity and quality suitable for PCR within 2–3h. DNA extracted from soil and roots was amplified by nested PCR utilizing primers Ph2–ITS4 in the first round. In the second round the primer pairs Pn5B–Pn6 and Pc2B–Pc7 were utilized to detect P. nicotianae and P. citrophthora, respectively. Comparison between the molecular method and pathogen isolation by means of a selective medium did not show any significant differences in sensitivity.     

实时荧光定量PCR法检测十字花科细菌性黑斑病菌

为有效防控我国的检疫性有害生物十字花科细菌性黑斑病菌Pseudomonas syringae pv.maculicola在国内的传播与蔓延,通过设计1对特异性引物3539,利用132株靶标和非靶标菌为模板进行PCR扩增,建立了实时荧光定量PCR法,并进行了模拟种子带菌试验。结果显示,引物3539为只针对十字花科细菌性黑斑病菌扩增出的特异性产物;在模拟种子带菌检测中,常规PCR对菌悬液的检测限为10~5CFU/m L,实时荧光定量PCR的检测限为10~3CFU/m L,其中10~8CFU/m L菌液的Ct值最低,为22.90,10~3CFU/m L菌液的Ct值最高,为35.73,且不同浓度菌液间的Ct值均有显著差异;不同带菌率模拟种子的检测结果表明,常规PCR和实时荧光定量PCR能检测到的带菌率分别为0.5%和0.1%。研究表明,实时荧光定量PCR法不仅可用于病种的检测,也可用于病害的早期诊断。     

PCR primers for identification of opine types of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Agrobacterium tumefaciens</Emphasis> in Japan

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a rapid, precise method for detecting and identifying pathogenic bacteria. In addition to the published primers for identification of Agrobacterium tumefaciens up to species level, two sets of primers were designed to identify the nopaline and octopine types of Agrobacterium tumefaciens. The RBF-RBR primer set designed based on the nopaline type T-DNA right border detected the nopaline type A208 and R225f strains, and the ocsF-ocsR primer set derived from the ocs gene of the octopine type A. tumefaciens detected the octopine type A348 strain. After polymerase Chain reaction (PCR) amplification by the RBF-RBR primers, the A208 and R225f strains could be differentiated from each other by restriction fragment length polymorphism digestion using the restriction enzymes DraI and XbaI. Multiple colonies can be screened at one time in a single PCR tube with satisfactory efficiency, thereby allowing rapid detection of pathogenic A. tumefaciens. Following a rough screening by classical biovar medium and -methyl-d-glucoside medium, the developed PCR system was introduced to identify isolates collected from soil and crown gall samples. Of 42 isolates determined to be A. tumefaciens, 7 were found to be octopine type; all the rest were R225f type.     

Assessment of Subtractive Hybridization to Select Species and Subspecies Specific DNA Fragments for the Identification of Xylophilus ampelinus by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

Eighteen Bsp143I digested DNA fragments specific to Xylophilus ampelinus were cloned from a library enriched for X. ampelinus obtained after a subtractive hybridization step. It was also possible to clone specific DNA sequences directly after DNA digestion with Bsp143I probably because X. ampelinus is a unique bacterium. Nucleotidic sequences of four cloned specific fragments were determined. They did not share any homology with other DNA sequences in the EMBL/GeneBank database. Four primer sets were designed and tested for specificity to X. ampelinus. One primer set (Xamp 1.27) was a good candidate for a species-specific reagent in a procedure of identification of X. ampelinus using PCR. One primer set detected only Greek strains isolated from Vitis vinifera cv. Sultana. Genetic diversity within the X. ampelinus species can be used in further epidemiological studies on the bacterial necrosis of grapevine.     

Conventional PCR and Real-time Quantitative PCR Detection of Helminthosporium Solani in Soil and on Potato Tubers

Silver scurf is an economically important blemish disease of potato caused by the fungus Helminthosporium solani. Two sets of PCR primers, Hs1F1/Hs2R1 (outer) and Hs1NF1/Hs2NR1 (nested) were designed to unique sequences of the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS1 and ITS2) regions of H. solani. Nested PCR was used to increase the specificity and sensitivity of single round PCR. Each primer set amplified a single product of 447 bp and 371 bp respectively, with DNA from 71 European and North American isolates of H. solani, and the specificity of primers was confirmed by the absence of amplified product with DNA from other fungal and bacterial plant pathogens. A simple and rapid procedure for direct extraction of DNA from soils and potato tubers was modified and developed to yield DNA of a purity and quality suitable for PCR within 3 h. The sensitivity of PCR for the specific detection of H. solani in seeded soils was determined to be 1.5 spores g^–1 of soil. H. solani was also detected by PCR in naturally infested soil and from peel and peel extract from infected and apparently healthy tubers. Specific primers and a TaqMan fluorogenic probe were designed using the original primer sequences to perform real-time quantitative (TaqMan) PCR. The same levels of sensitivity for specific detection of H. solani in soil and tubers were obtained during first round mboxTaqMan-based PCR as with conventional nested PCR and gel electrophoresis. This rapid and quantitative PCR assay allows an accurate estimation of tuber and soil contamination by H. solani, thus providing a tool to study the ecology of the organism and to serve as a crucial component for disease risk assessments.     

Development of PCR Primers for a New Fusarium oxysporum Pathogenic on Paris Daisy (Argyranthemum frutescens L.)

The inverse PCR technique was applied to clone genomic DNA flanking insertion sites of sequences homologous to the transposable element Fot1 in the genome of a new pathogenic isolate of Fusarium oxysporum obtained from wilted Argyranthemum frutescens (Paris daisy). Based on the genomic flanking regions, a primer was designed which when paired to a second primer matching the Fot1 sequence allowed detection of this pathogen by PCR. The primer pair Mg5/Mg6 could specifically identify nine tested isolates of F. oxysporum from A. frutescens, when fungal genomic DNA was used as template. Moreover, the primer pair Mg5/Mg6 allowed successful detection of the pathogen in stem and root tissue from asymptomatic plants that were artificially inoculated with a representative isolate of F. oxysporum from A. frutescens.     

Enhanced detection and isolation of the walnut pathogen <Emphasis Type="Italic">Brenneria rubrifaciens</Emphasis>, causal agent of deep bark canker

Deep bark canker (DBC) of walnut is caused by the bacterium Brenneria rubrifaciens which produces the red pigment rubrifacine. This disease of English walnut trees, is characterized by deep vertical cankers which exude sap laden with B. rubrifaciens. Although DBC is not observed on young trees, it is hypothesized that B. rubrifaciens is present in host tissue years before symptom development. Therefore, a sensitive technique would be useful in detecting B. rubrifaciens in asymptomatic trees. Tn5 mutants deficient in rubrifacine production (pig ⁻) were generated and DNA sequences from pig ⁻ mutants were used to design two primer sets; GSP1F–GSP1R and GSP2F–GSP2R. A third primer pair, BR1–BR3 was designed from the 16S rRNA gene. The three primer pairs did not amplify the diagnostic bands from members of the following bacterial genera: Agrobacterium, Erwinia, Pseudomonas, Ralstonia, and Rhizobium. In addition, no amplification was observed using DNA from the following Brenneria species, alni, nigrifluens, quercina, or salicis. All three DNA primer sets detected B. rubrifaciens in spiked greenhouse soil and infiltrated walnut leaf tissue. PCR detection limits for BR, GSP1, and GSP2 primer pairs were 254, 254, and 2.54 × 10⁴ colony forming units (CFU) respectively. Real-time PCR detection limit for BR primers was 8 CFU. The differential medium, yeast extract dextrose calcium carbonate agar (YDCA) was amended with novobiocin, and bacitracin, to enhance isolation from environmental samples. The improved detection and isolation methods described here will facilitate examination of B. rubrifaciens ecology under both nursery and orchard conditions.     

Specific Oligonucleotide Primers for the Rapid Identification and Detection of the Agent of Tomato Pith Necrosis, Pseudomonas corrugata, by PCR Amplification: Evidence for two Distinct Genomic Groups

Unique DNA bands from strains representative of two groups of Pseudomonas corrugata, as shown by amplification of their genomic DNA by polymerase chain reaction using short random sequence oligonucleotide primers (RAPD-PCR), were isolated, cloned and sequenced. Two pairs of specific primer sequences, based on the ends of the cloned unique DNA bands from strains IPVCT10.3 and IPVCT8.1, were used in multiplex PCR with a range of P. corrugata strains. All strains produced one of the two specific bands, 1100bp (from the IPVCT10.3-based primers) and 600bp (from the IPVCT8.1-based primers), representing groups designated I and II, respectively. The primers were also tested on a wider range of Pseudomonas species, including the closely-related fluorescent Pseudomonas genomospecies FP1, FP2 and FP3: none of these bacteria produced any bands following amplification by PCR with these primers. The primer sets detected P. corrugata in tomato pith necrosis-infected plants providing a useful tool for rapid identification and epidemiological studies.     

PCR-based specific detection of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ralstonia solanacearum</Emphasis> race 4 strains

Two primer sets were designed based on the sequence of polymorphic bands that were derived from repetitive sequence-based polymerase chain reaction (rep-PCR) fingerprinting and specifically detected in Ralstonia solanacearum race 4 strains (ginger, mioga, and curcuma isolates). One primer set (AKIF-AKIR) amplified a single band (165bp) from genomic DNA obtained from all mioga and curcuma and some ginger isolates; another set (21F-21R) amplified one band (125bp) from the other ginger isolates. These primer sets did not amplify the bands from genomic DNA of other R. solanacearum strains or of other related bacteria. PCR detection limit for the pathogen was 2 × 10²cfu.The nucleotide sequence data reported are available in the DDBJ/EMBL/GenBank databases under accession numbers AB118756 and AB118757     

Simultaneous and selective detection of two major soft rot pathogens of potato: Pectobacterium atrosepticum (Erwinia carotovora subsp. atrosepticum) and Dickeya spp. (Erwinia chrysanthemi)

Dickeya spp. and Pectobacterium atrosepticum are major pathogens of potato. Current methods to detect these soft-rotting bacteria require separate identification steps. Here we describe a simple method allowing simultaneous detection of both pathogens based on multiplex PCR. The sensitivity of the primer sets was first examined on purified genomic DNA of the type strains Dickeya chrysanthemi 2048^T and P. atrosepticum 1526^T. The specificity and detection limits of the primer sets were successfully tested on 61 strains belonging to various Dickeya and Pectobacterium species, on artificially inoculated and on naturally contaminated potato plants. This new method provides a gain in time and materials, the main advantages for large-scale processes such as pathogen-free seed certification.     

Grapevine crown gall caused by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhizobium radiobacter</Emphasis> (Ti) in Japan

In 2005, characteristic symptoms of crown gall on grapevines (Vitis vinifera L. cv. Muscat of Alexandria, and cv. Seto Giants) were observed in a commercial greenhouse-orchard in Okayama Prefecture, Japan. Isolations from diseased tissues consistently yielded bacterial colonies that were white, glistening, and produced abundant polysaccharide on potato semi-synthetic agar (PSA) medium. Ten representative isolates were chosen for further characterization. A multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay showed these strains were not Rhizobium vitis but did possess a Ti plasmid. The bacteriological characteristics of the isolates corresponded well with R. radiobacter. The almost complete 16S ribosomal DNA sequences of isolates AT06-1 and AT06-2, selected from 10 grapevine isolates, were determined and corresponded to sequences of R. radiobacter. The pathogenicity of the isolates was tested on young grapevine and tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) plants. Gall symptoms developed on both plant species after inoculation, and bacteria with the same colony morphology as those inoculated were reisolated. Based on these results, the isolates were identified as R. radiobacter (Ti). This report is the first of the occurrence of R. radiobacter (Ti) on grapevine in Japan. Phylogenetic analyses using the partial nucleotide sequences of virC operon located on a Ti plasmid showed that the isolate of R. radiobacter (Ti) isolated from grapevine and some strains of R. vitis (Ti) belonged to the same monophyletic group, which differed from the groups of R. radiobacter (Ti) isolated from plants other than grapevine and of the majority of R. vitis (Ti) strains isolated from grapevine. The nucleotide sequence data reported are available in the DDBJ/EMBL/GenBank databases under accessions AB306890, AB306891, and AB465432–AB465459.     

The Use of ARMS PCR in Detection and Identification of Xanthomonads Associated with Pistachio Dieback in Australia

Pistachio dieback occurs in the main pistachio growing areas of Australia. Xanthomonas strains belonging to the translucens group have been identified as the causal agent of the disease and two distinct groups, A and B, have been recognised within the pathogen population. In this study, specific primers for amplification of DNA of the pathogen were developed by sequencing the Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) region of rDNA from strains representing groups A and B, as well as from X. translucens isolated from wheat in Australia and one Xanthomonas translucens strain from orchard floor grasses. Primers were designed for amplification of DNA sequences specific to each group and a multiplex PCR test was developed that identified and differentiated strains of each group in a single PCR assay. To determine the specificity of the primers, PCR was carried out with DNA from 65 strains of the pistachio pathogen, 31 type and reference strains of Xanthomonas, and from 191 phytobacteria commonly found in and around pistachio orchards. In the multiplex PCR, a 331 bp fragment was amplified from all strains belonging to group A and a 120 bp fragment from all strains in group B. No PCR products were obtained from the other bacteria tested except for the type strain of X. translucens pv. cerealis, which has not been found in Australia. The assay was used to detect strains from both groups of the pathogen in pistachio plant material.     

Genomic Variation within Monilinia laxa, M. fructigena and M. fructicola, and Application to Species Identification by PCR

Brown rot and twig canker of fruit trees are caused by Monilinia laxa, M. fructigena and M. fructicola. The Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) between the 18S and the 28S rRNA genes of four M. laxa and four M. fructigena isolates collected in France was amplified by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) using universal primers and sequenced. Multiple alignment of the ITS sequences and comparison with published sequences revealed very little intraspecific variation and a low interspecific polymorphism clustered in two regions. Species-specific PCR primers were designed to amplify a 356bp fragment for each of the three species. The specificity of the three primer pairs was successfully tested with a collection of 17 M. laxa, 18 M. fructigena and 6 M. fructicola isolates collected from different hosts and different countries, unequivocally confirming the identification of each isolate based on morphological and cultural traits. Using stringent PCR conditions, no cross-reaction was observed with any of the isolates tested. The specificity of the PCR assays was also successfully confirmed with DNA extracted from different fungal species, either phylogenetically close to the genus Monilinia or commonly found on diseased fruits. Using this new reliable technique, doubtful isolates can be directly identified in a single PCR run. Moreover, detection and identification of the Monilinia species were successfully achieved directly on diseased fruits. This simple and rapid method can be particularly useful to detect M. fructicola which is a listed quarantine fungus in all European countries.     

Conventional PCR and real time quantitative PCR detection of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phytophthora cryptogea</Emphasis> on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gerbera jamesonii</Emphasis>

A conventional PCR and a SYBR Green real-time PCR assays for the detection and quantification of Phytophthora cryptogea, an economically important pathogen, have been developed and tested. A conventional primer set (Cryp1 and Cryp2) was designed from the Ypt1 gene of P. cryptogea. A 369 bp product was amplified on DNA from 17 isolates of P. cryptogea. No product was amplified on DNA from 34 other Phytophthora spp., water moulds, true fungi and bacteria. In addition, Cryp1/Cryp2 primers were successfully adapted to real-time PCR. The conventional PCR and real-time PCR assays were compared. The PCR was able to detect the pathogen on naturally infected gerbera plants and on symptomatic artificially infected plants collected 21 days after pathogen inoculation. The detection limit was 5 × 10³ P. cryptogea zoospores and 16 fg of DNA. Real-time PCR showed a detection limit 100 times lower (50 zoospores, 160 ag of DNA) and the possibility of detecting the pathogen in symptomless artificially infected plants and in the re-circulating nutrient solution of closed soilless cultivation systems.     

玉米细菌性枯萎病菌PCR检测

 根据GenBank中玉米细菌性枯萎病菌及其近似种的16S序列差异,设计了一对玉米细菌性枯萎病菌特异性引物Ps2r/Ps3r,该引物能从供试的7株玉米细菌性枯萎病菌中特异性扩增出一条268 bp的预期条带,供试的32株近似种菌株都没有扩增产物;与国内外文献报道的其它5对特异性引物相比,除引物PSA/PSB外,引物DEP1/DEP2、ES16/ESIG2c、HRP1d/HRP3c和CPSL1/CPSR2c在不同程度上对部分近似种菌株出现了扩增。试验结果表明,引物Ps2r/Ps3r和PSA/PSB能特异性扩增玉米细菌性枯萎病菌,得到预期的扩增产物。对不同系列稀释度的DNA和玉米样品中病菌的检测结果表明,由引物Ps1/Ps4和Ps2r/Ps3r组合的巢式PCR方法的检测灵敏度高于引物ITSA/ITSB和PSA/PSB组合的巢式PCR方法,也高于Bio-PCR检测方法;前者可以检测到玉米种子中300 cfu/sample的目的细菌,该检测方法在进境玉米种子样品玉米细菌性枯萎病菌的检疫中具有比较理想的应有潜力和推广价值。