Base Composition of the DNA of Mycoplasma-Like Organisms Associated with Various Plant Diseases

DNA was isolated from periwinkle plants infected by various mycoplasma-like organisms (MLOs), and from apple trees affected by apple proliferation. The DNA of the causal agents was separated from the host plant DNA by repeated bisbenzimide-CsCl buoyant density gradient centrifugation which resulted in highly enriched MLO DNA bands characterized by a lower buoyant density than that of the host DNA. The MLO DNAs were hydrolyzed to free bases which were determined by HPLC. The analyses revealed a similar low G + C content as found in the DNAs of several culturable mycoplasmas and spiroplasmas. The values of the DNA of the agents of the diseases investigated were as follows: European aster yellows 23.0, periwinkle virescence 23.5, apple proliferation 23.7, rape virescence 24.2, and phyllody of Diplotaxis erucoidcs 26.2 mol % G + C, respectively. Methylated bases were detected in low amounts only.