Quantification of viable <Emphasis Type="Italic">Candidatus</Emphasis> Liberibacter asiaticus in hosts using quantitative PCR with the aid of ethidium monoazide (EMA)

Citrus Huanglongbing (HLB) is a devastating disease of citrus known to be associated with a fastidious, phloem-limited Gram-negative, yet to be cultured bacterium in the genus Candidatus Liberibacter. In the present study we have developed a method to quantify viable Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (Las) with the aid of ethidium monoazide (EMA) which can differentiate live from dead cells. First, calibration curves were developed with the aid of quantitative real-time PCR (QPCR) by using a plasmid template consisting of a 703 bp DNA fragment of rplKAJL-rpoBC (β-operon) region. Standard equations were then developed to quantify Las genome equivalents in citrus, periwinkle, and Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri. To overcome the limitation of quantitative PCR in discriminating between live and dead bacterial cells, EMA was used to inhibit the amplification of DNA from the dead cells of Las in plant samples. By using the standard equations and EMA-QPCR methods developed in this study, we found that the proportion of viable cells in citrus and periwinkle ranged from 17–31% and 16–28%, respectively. It was determined that a minimum bacterial concentration is required for HLB symptom development by quantifying the population of Las in symptomatic and asymptomatic leaves. The EMA-QPCR methodology developed in the present study should provide an accurate assessment of viable HLB pathogen, providing a tool to investigate disease epidemiology and thus act as a crucial component for disease assessment and management. The authors P. Trivedi and U. S. Sagaram contributed equally to this work.     

柑橘黄龙病常规PCR检测技术研究与初步应用

柑橘黄龙病是世界范围具有毁灭性危害的柑橘细菌性病害,在我国大部分柑橘产区发生,严重制约了我国柑橘产业的发展。本文根据黄龙病病原物亚洲韧皮杆菌核糖体16SrRNA基因设计了1对PCR引物HLBF468/HLBR877,并以此为基础建立了常规PCR反应体系,确定了检测体系的特异性和灵敏度。结果表明该体系的检测灵敏度比先前报道的常规PCR方法有了明显提高。利用建立的PCR体系完成了对广东和广西两省区果园柑橘黄龙病的抽样检测。本研究建立的常规PCR方法可以作为一种简便、准确、灵敏的检测技术应用于柑橘黄龙病的早期诊断。     

三种PCR方法检测柑橘黄龙病菌的效果比较

为了比较常规PCR、巢式PCR和实时荧光定量PCR方法在大田检测中对柑橘黄龙病(Huanglongbing, HLB)的检测效果, 首先比较了3种检测方法对柑橘黄龙病菌检测的灵敏度, 结果发现：3种检测方法的灵敏度依次为常规PCR<巢式PCR<实时荧光定量PCR。运用3种检测方法对广东5个柑橘品种上的189个黄龙病疑似病样进行检测, 结果发现：黄龙病检出率依次为常规PCR<巢式PCR<实时荧光定量PCR。研究表明：常规PCR适合以较低成本大规模检测黄龙病; 实时荧光定量PCR具有最大的检测灵敏度; 巢式PCR检测技术同时具有前两者的一些优点, 但操作较复杂, 适合技术熟练的研究者使用。     

柑橘黄龙病菌过氧化物还原酶基因CLasPrx的克隆及功能分析

为解析柑橘黄龙病菌亚洲种Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus（CLas）逃逸活性氧伤害的机理,通过克隆其过氧化物还原酶（peroxiredoxin,Prx）编码基因的全长序列,对CLasPrx蛋白序列进行生物信息学分析、多重比对及系统发育分析,采用实时荧光定量PCR方法检测CLasPrx基因在柑橘不同组织中的表达模式,并在本氏烟Nicotiana benthamiana叶肉细胞瞬时表达CLasPrx分析其编码蛋白的亚细胞定位,利用碘化钾法测定 CLasPrx 蛋白清除 H₂O₂的活性。结果显示,克隆得到的CLasPrx基因序列全长为534 bp,编码177个氨基酸;CLasPrx蛋白包含1个Redoxin保守结构域;多重比对分析发现CLasPrx蛋白活性位点含有保守基序PGAFTPTC;系统发育分析表明CLasPrx蛋白与近缘物种的同源蛋白聚为一类;CLasPrx基因在感染黄龙病柑橘树秋梢中的表达水平显著高于在春梢中的表达水平;CLasPrx定位于本氏烟叶肉细胞的细胞质基质中;过表达CLasPrx蛋白能够显著降低本氏烟叶肉细胞内H₂O₂的含量。表明CLasPrx可能参与柑橘黄龙病菌清除H₂O₂的过程。     

土霉素对柑橘黄龙病的防治效果及对柑橘产量和品质的影响

为有效防控柑橘黄龙病,于2017年在佛罗里达大学柑橘研究与教育中心的奥本代尔市柑橘试验场进行田间试验筛选黄龙病的防治药剂及其浓度,测定注射土霉素后叶片中柑橘黄龙病菌亚洲种Cadidatus Liberibacter asiaticus、土霉素、淀粉含量、柑橘产量、出汁率、可溶性固形物含量和酸度,显微镜下观察注射土霉素后淀粉粒的分布。结果表明,浓度为1.6g/株土霉素处理180 d后柑橘叶片中黄龙病菌亚洲种含量减少幅度最大,为91.78%;注射浓度为1.6g/株土霉素后7d,叶片中土霉素含量达142.2 μg/kg,注射后11 d叶片中土霉素含量达到最大,为239.8 μg/kg,注射后45 d叶片中土霉素含量低至99.6 μg/kg以下;注射后7~90d,叶片中黄龙病菌亚洲种含量呈波浪形变化,注射90 d后叶片中黄龙病菌亚洲种含量一直处于增长趋势,叶片中黄龙病菌亚洲种含量总体随着土霉素含量的升高而降低;注射浓度为1.6g/株土霉素后,叶片中淀粉含量大幅度下降,60d时达到最低值,为3.3 μg/mm²,90d时达到峰值,为14.5 μg/mm²;单株产量为16.7 kg,与注射浓度为0.8 g/株土霉素处理差异不显著,但均显著高于其它2个处理;柑橘出汁率、可溶性固形物和酸度均与清水对照差异不显著。表明土霉素可有效抑制黄龙病菌亚洲种,减少柑橘叶片内淀粉含量,增加柑橘产量,但对果实品质未产生显著影响。     

Detection by PCR of Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus, the bacterium causing citrus huanglongbing in vector psyllids: application to the study of vector–pathogen relationships

Citrus huanglongbing (HLB), previously called greening, is a serious citrus disease in Asia, eastern and southern Africa. It is caused by Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (Las), a phloem-limited, nonculturable bacterium transmitted by the Asian citrus psyllid ( Diaphorina citri ) in Asia. A PCR-based assay was developed for monitoring Las in vector psyllids using a rapid DNA extraction from psyllid bodies and PCR amplification. The entire procedure for Las detection in psyllids can be completed within 5 h. Using this method, Las can be accurately detected in psyllid adults as well as nymphs in different instar stages. The assay is sensitive enough for Las detection in single-psyllid extract from adult, fifth, fourth and third instars. In a transovarial transmission experiment, Las was not detected in eggs or in offspring produced by Las-carrying psyllid females. In a retention test, the Las-carrying psyllids remained Las-positive for 12 weeks after they were moved to common jasmine orange, a Las-immune plant. From these experimental results it was concluded that Las persists in the Asian citrus psyllid vector, but is not transovarially transmitted by the vector. These data help in understanding epidemiological characteristics of Las and psyllids in citrus HLB.     

LncRNA在柑橘木虱与黄龙病病原菌互作中的差异表达分析及验证

为明确柑橘黄龙病的唯一自然传播媒介——柑橘木虱Diaphorina citri的长链非编码RNA(long non-coding RNA,lncRNA)是否参与调控黄龙病病原菌Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus(CLas)的侵染及复制,采用生物信息学预测及PCR扩增方法进行lncRNA的预测、特征分析、验证及差异表达分析。结果显示,柑橘木虱的13个转录组RNA-Seq数据中共有10 192个lncRNA基因,对应15 747条lncRNA转录本;与蛋白质编码基因相比,柑橘木虱lncRNA具有更少的外显子数量和更短的转录本长度;随机选取的10条lncRNA基因中,有7条lncRNA基因在无菌柑橘木虱广州品系或赣州品系中有表达,其中1条lncRNA基因TCONS_00034665在无菌广州品系和无菌赣州品系中存在差异表达;带菌和无菌柑橘木虱成虫中预测获得2个差异表达的lncRNA基因TCONS_00096118和TCONS_00234564,实时荧光定量PCR验证发现TCONS_00234564与预测结果一致,在带菌柑橘木虱成虫中高表达。表明lncRNA参与了黄龙病病原菌与寄主柑橘木虱的互作。     

纽荷尔脐橙树体中黄龙病菌的分布规律及其对叶片组织结构和木质素合成的影响

为明确纽荷尔脐橙树体不同部位叶片在不同季节的黄龙病菌Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus感染情况,利用实时荧光定量PCR技术检测采集自不同季节及树体不同部位叶片样品中的黄龙病菌,并对秋季采集的相同叶龄且黄龙病菌含量不同的叶片进行叶脉显微结构观察、木质素含量测定以及木质素合成相关基因表达模式分析。结果显示,夏季采集的 122 份叶片样品的阳性率为16.02%,秋季采集的486份叶片样品的阳性率为33.02%,后者的阳性率显著高于前者;其中178份采集自秋季枝条顶端的叶片样品阳性率最高,为36.88%,308份采集自秋季枝条底端的叶片样品阳性率为26.84%,二者均显著高于采集自夏季枝条的60份顶端叶片的阳性率（22.98%）和62份底端叶片的阳性率（8.96%）。对秋季不同含菌量叶片样品进行比较后发现,含菌量较高的叶片其韧皮部厚度较对照显著增加;叶片内木质素含量随着黄龙病菌含量的增加而增加,同时3个木质素合成相关基因Cs4g17860、orange1.1t02755和orange1.1t04489的表达量也随着黄龙病菌含量的增加而上调表达。表明感染黄龙病的纽荷尔脐橙在秋季时其枝条顶端的叶片的阳性率相较于底端叶片以及夏季叶片更高,且黄龙病菌入侵后叶片韧皮部厚度、木质素含量及部分木质素合成相关基因表达量均随着叶片中菌含量的升高而增加。     

江西省大余县柑橘黄龙病菌PCR检测

采用PCR扩增和核苷酸序列测定技术,对分别采自江西省大余县青龙镇郭屋坝果园和丰顺果园的各5份疑似柑橘黄龙病样品进行病原检测。结果表明:2个青龙郭屋坝果园样品中检测到柑橘黄龙病菌,分别命名为DY-LAS01和DY-LAS02,其他8份样品中则未检测到该病菌。此结果表明大余县已有柑橘黄龙病发生,希望引起当地有关部门的高度重视。     

应用多重PCR技术同步检测柑橘4种重要嫁接传播病原

 柑橘衰退病毒(Citrus tristeza virus,CTV),柑橘碎叶病毒(Citrus tatter\|leaf virus,CTLV),柑橘裂皮病类病毒(Citrus exocortis viroid,CEVd)和柑橘黄龙病(Huanglongbing, HLB)亚洲种病原(Candidatus liberobacter asiaticus)是重要的柑橘嫁接传播病原。本文建立了同时检测HLB病菌、CTV、CEVd 和CTLV 4种柑橘嫁接病原的一步法、双温多重PCR检测技术体系,同时在体系中设置内参基因。应用该体系快速评价了4种嫁接传播病原在田间侵染情况,结果表明28个田间样品CTV、CEVd、CTLV和HLB感染率分别为89.3 %、17.9 %、10.7 %和28.6 %,接近半数样品为混合感染。并且将该方法应用于快速评价茎尖嫁接苗病毒的脱除情况。     

Quantification of seedborne infection by Rhynchosporium secalis in barley using competitive PCR

The potential of the competitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for quantification of seedborne infection by Rhynchosporium secalis in barley was examined using a primer set (RS1 and RS3) derived from the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of ribosomal RNA genes of this pathogen. Introduction of a heterologous internal control, which competes for the same primer set in the conventional PCR assay, allowed for detection and quantification of R. secalis fungal biomass. In order to generate a standard calibration curve, DNA prepared from infected seeds with different levels of R. secalis infection was subjected to competitive PCR assay. The resulting PCR product ratio for each PCR reaction ( R. secalis -amplified DNA/internal control template-amplified DNA) increased proportionally with increasing levels of infected seed DNA in the reaction mixture. Naturally infected seed lots collected from 1995 to 1999 were used to demonstrate the potential of the competitive PCR assay as an alternative seed health testing method. The results from this competitive PCR assay were compared with those from conventional visual disease assessment and an agar plate assay. Although relatively good correlation between visual disease assessment and the competitive PCR was found in the case of artificially mixed seed samples, there was poor correlation in the experiments using naturally infected seed samples.     

番茄煤污假尾孢叶斑病菌实时荧光定量PCR检测技术的建立及应用

为快速、准确地对番茄煤污假尾孢Pseudocercospora fuligena进行检测与定量分析,基于其Avr4基因设计特异性引物JWB-9F/JWB-7R,建立实时荧光定量PCR检测技术,分析该检测技术的特异性和灵敏度,并利用采集自重庆市、河北省和广西壮族自治区的14份材料对该检测技术的应用效果进行验证。结果表明,引物JWB-9F/JWB-7R仅可从番茄煤污假尾孢基因组DNA中扩增出232 bp的目的片段,特异性良好;实时荧光定量PCR检测技术的灵敏度为67.09 copies/μL,是普通PCR检测技术的1 000倍。且该实时荧光定量PCR检测技术可以实现未显症样本中番茄煤污假尾孢的定量检测,检测限为6.02×10~2copies/μL,实际应用效果较好。表明所建立的实时荧光定量PCR检测技术可用于番茄煤污假尾孢叶斑病的早期诊断和预测预报。     

魔芋软腐病病原菌TaqMan荧光探针PCR技术的建立及应用

为实现对田间土壤软腐病病原菌的定量检测,基于魔芋软腐病优势病原菌胡萝卜软腐果胶杆菌胡萝卜亚种Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum的FyuA基因序列,设计特异性引物PCC1/PCC2/PCC3,建立TaqMan荧光探针实时荧光定量PCR技术,并对魔芋根系土壤中软腐病病原菌进行动态监测。结果显示:基于FyuA基因序列设计的引物特异性好,仅能特异性检出胡萝卜软腐果胶杆菌胡萝卜亚种;当模拟带菌土壤中病原菌浓度低至1.88 CFU/g时也能检出,灵敏度高;发病魔芋根际土壤中软腐病病原菌检出率为100.00%,病原菌DNA浓度最高达到了7.52×10~7ng/μL,健康魔芋根际土壤中也存在病原菌,检出率为40.00%;不同种植模式中,林下魔芋土壤中软腐病病原菌数量较少;连作时间与病原菌数量、病情指数存在正相关关系,连作时间越长,病原菌积累越多,魔芋病情指数也越高,魔芋连作4年土壤中病原菌DNA浓度最高达到4.03×10~4ng/μL;对魔芋土壤软腐病病原菌进行全年监测,病原菌数量随着月份增长逐渐上升,在8—10月达到峰值543.20 ng/μL后下降,病原菌数量与魔芋病情指数变化规律一致,但田间魔芋软腐病的发生相对滞后。表明建立的TaqMan荧光探针实时荧光定量PCR技术可用于田间魔芋软腐病的监测。     

Quantification of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pyrenophora graminea</Emphasis> in barley seed using real-time PCR

A real-time PCR assay was designed to quantify seed-borne infection of Pyrenophora graminea in barley (Hordeum vulgare). Conventional tests such as the freezing blotter method cannot distinguish P. graminea from the closely related P. teres. The seed infection threshold for P. graminea is lower than the one for P. teres and is therefore applied for both species although P. graminea may be absent. This results in unnecessary rejections of seed lots. PCR primers and a TaqMan probe were designed to target a P. graminea-specific DNA sequence. The potential of the real-time PCR assay for quantifying seed-borne infection of P. graminea was investigated by examining seed lots harvested from P. graminea-infected fields. The major part (84%) of the variation in the amount of P. graminea DNA measured by real-time PCR could be attributed to variation between seed lots while only about 8% was due to variation within seed lots. DNA quantities of P. graminea were positively correlated with seed infection incidence detected by the freezing blotter method as well as with the infection incidence of plants examined in the greenhouse. Both correlations were highly significant (P < 0.001) but the DNA quantities accounted only for 59% (R ² = 0.59) and 56% (R ² = 0.56), respectively, of the variation in the results obtained by the two conventional methods. Seed lots of varieties resistant to P. graminea contained considerable amounts of P. graminea DNA but showed no or only few leaf symptoms in the greenhouse test suggesting that the recommended seed infection thresholds could be raised for resistant varieties.     

Real-time PCR for Quantification of Toxigenic Fusarium Species in Barley and Malt

A real-time PCR technique was applied for the quantification of trichothecene-producing Fusarium species (TMTRI assay) as well as the highly toxigenic Fusarium graminearum (TMFg12 assay) present in barley grain and malt. PCR results were compared to the amounts of trichothecenes detected in the samples to find out if the PCR assays can be used for trichothecene screening instead of expensive and laborious chemical analyses. DNA was extracted from ground kernels using a commercial DNA extraction kit and analysed in a LightCycler® system using specific primers and fluorogenic TaqMan probes. Both naturally and artificially contaminated grains were analysed. The TMTRI assay and the TMFg12 assay enabled the quantification of trichothecene-producing Fusarium DNA and F. graminearum DNA present in barley grain and malt samples, respectively. Both TaqMan assays were considered to be sensitive and reproducible. Linearity of the assays was 4–5 log units when pure Fusarium DNAs were tested. The amount of Fusarium DNA analysed with the TMTRI-trichothecene assay could be used for estimation of the deoxynivalenol (DON) content in barley grain. Furthermore, the TMFg12 assay for F. graminearum gave a good estimation of the DON content in north American barley and malt samples, whilst the correlation was poor among Finnish samples. DON content and the level of F. graminearum DNA were found to be naturally low in Finnish barleys.     

田间柑橘植株不同部位黄龙病菌的PCR检测及发病原因分析

［目的］了解黄龙病菌在柑橘植株不同部位的分布,为深入研究病菌在植株体内的扩散情况奠定基础;明确病害的发生原因为有效防控该病害提供借鉴。［方法］ 调查浙江省台州市柑橘黄龙病（huanglongbing, HLB）的发生情况,通过常规和巢式PCR,检测了发病情形不同的两个果园内柑橘病株不同部位及不同植株中的黄龙病菌,并对其发病原因进行分析。［结果］ 发现一果园内病株的无症状叶片、有症状叶片和枝条中均含有黄龙病菌,而其周围植株不含病菌;另一果园内病株的有症状叶片、枝条、主干和砧木中均含有黄龙病菌,而其周围植株也含菌。［结论］分析认为这两种果园内柑橘植株发病原因不同,一种可能为通过携带黄龙病菌的柑橘木虱所感染,另一种可能为嫁接过程中通过带菌的接穗感染。     

Modelling the progress of Asiatic citrus canker on Tahiti lime in relation to temperature and leaf wetness

The combined effect of temperature (15°C, 20°C, 25°C, 30°C, 35°C, 40°C and 42°C) and leaf wetness duration (0, 4, 8 12, 16, 20 and 24 h) on infection and development of Asiatic citrus canker (Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri) on Tahiti lime plant was examined in growth chambers. No disease developed at 42°C and zero hours of leaf wetness. Periods of leaf wetness as short as 4 h were sufficient for citrus canker infection. However, a longer leaf duration wetness (24 h) did not result in much increase in the incidence of citrus canker, but led to twice the number of lesions and four times the disease severity. Temperature was the greatest factor influencing disease development. At optimum temperatures (25–35°C), there was 100% disease incidence. Maximum disease development was observed at 30–35°C, with up to a 12-fold increase in lesion density, a 10-fold increase in lesion size and a 60-fold increase in disease severity.