Diversity and plasticity of the intracellular plant pathogen and insect symbiont "Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus" as revealed by hypervariable prophage genes with intragenic tandem repeats

"Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus" is a psyllid-transmitted, phloem-limited alphaproteobacterium and the most prevalent species of "Ca. Liberibacter" associated with a devastating worldwide citrus disease known as huanglongbing (HLB). Two related and hypervariable genes (hyv(I) and hyv(II)) were identified in the prophage regions of the Psy62 "Ca. Liberibacter asiaticus" genome. Sequence analyses of the hyv(I) and hyv(II) genes in 35 "Ca. Liberibacter asiaticus" DNA isolates collected globally revealed that the hyv(I) gene contains up to 12 nearly identical tandem repeats (NITRs, 132 bp) and 4 partial repeats, while hyv(II) contains up to 2 NITRs and 4 partial repeats and shares homology with hyv(I). Frequent deletions or insertions of these repeats within the hyv(I) and hyv(II) genes were observed, none of which disrupted the open reading frames. Sequence conservation within the individual repeats but an extensive variation in repeat numbers, rearrangement, and the sequences flanking the repeat region indicate the diversity and plasticity of "Ca. Liberibacter asiaticus" bacterial populations in the world. These differences were found not only in samples of distinct geographical origins but also in samples from a single origin and even from a single "Ca. Liberibacter asiaticus"-infected sample. This is the first evidence of different "Ca. Liberibacter asiaticus" populations coexisting in a single HLB-affected sample. The Florida "Ca. Liberibacter asiaticus" isolates contain both hyv(I) and hyv(II), while all other global "Ca. Liberibacter asiaticus" isolates contain either one or the other. Interclade assignments of the putative Hyv(I) and Hyv(II) proteins from Florida isolates with other global isolates in phylogenetic trees imply multiple "Ca. Liberibacter asiaticus" populations in the world and a multisource introduction of the "Ca. Liberibacter asiaticus" bacterium into Florida.     

Differentiation of "Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus" isolates by variable-number tandem-repeat analysis

Four highly polymorphic simple sequence repeat (SSR) loci were selected and used to differentiate 84 Japanese isolates of "Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus." The Nei's measure of genetic diversity values for these four SSRs ranged from 0.60 to 0.86. The four SSR loci were also highly polymorphic in four isolates from Taiwan and 12 isolates from Indonesia.     

Predictive sequence analysis of the Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus proteome

Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (Ca. L. asiaticus) is a parasitic gram-negative bacterium that is closely associated with Huanglongbing (HLB), a worldwide citrus disease. Given the difficulty in culturing the bacterium and thus in its experimental characterization, computational analyses of the whole Ca. L. asiaticus proteome can provide much needed insights into the mechanisms of the disease and guide the development of treatment strategies. In this study, we applied state-of-the-art sequence analysis tools to every Ca. L. asiaticus protein. Our results are available as a public website at http://prodata.swmed.edu/liberibacter_asiaticus/. In particular, we manually curated the results to predict the subcellular localization, spatial structure and function of all Ca. L. asiaticus proteins (http://prodata.swmed.edu/liberibacter_asiaticus/curated/). This extensive information should facilitate the study of Ca. L. asiaticus proteome function and its relationship to disease. Pilot studies based on the information from our website have revealed several potential virulence factors, discussed herein.     

Two plant bacteria, S. meliloti and Ca. Liberibacter asiaticus, share functional znuABC homologues that encode for a high affinity zinc uptake system

The Znu system, encoded for by znuABC, can be found in multiple genera of bacteria and has been shown to be responsible for the import of zinc under low zinc conditions. Although this high-affinity uptake system is known to be important for both growth and/or pathogenesis in bacteria, it has not been functionally characterized in a plant-associated bacterium. A single homologue of this system has been identified in the plant endosymbiont, Sinorhizobium meliloti, while two homologous systems were found in the destructive citrus pathogen, Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus. To understand the role of these protein homologues, a complementation assay was devised allowing the individual genes that comprise the system to be assayed independently for their ability to reinstate a partially-inactivated Znu system. Results from the assays have demonstrated that although all of the genes from S. meliloti were able to restore activity, only one of the two Ca. Liberibacter asiaticus encoded gene clusters contained genes that were able to functionally complement the system. Additional analysis of the gene clusters reveals that distinct modes of regulation may also exist between the Ca. Liberibacter asiaticus and S. meliloti import systems despite the intracellular-plant niche common to both of these bacteria.     

Genome-wide analyses of Liberibacter species provides insights into evolution,phylogenetic relationships,and virulence factors

‘Candidatus Liberibacter’ species are insect-transmitted, phloem-limited α-Proteobacteria in the order of Rhizobiales. The citrus industry is facing significant challenges due to huanglongbing, associated with infection from ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’ (Las). In order to gain greater insight into ‘Ca. Liberibacter’ biology and genetic diversity, we have performed genome sequencing and comparative analyses of diverse ‘Ca. Liberibacter’ species, including those that can infect citrus. Our phylogenetic analysis differentiates ‘Ca. Liberibacter’ species and Rhizobiales in separate clades and suggests stepwise evolution from a common ancestor splitting first into nonpathogenic Liberibacter crescens followed by diversification of pathogenic ‘Ca. Liberibacter’ species. Further analysis of Las genomes from different geographical locations revealed diversity among isolates from the United States. Our phylogenetic study also indicates multiple Las introduction events in California and spread of the pathogen from Florida to Texas. Texan Las isolates were closely related, while Florida and Asian isolates exhibited the most genetic variation. We have identified conserved Sec translocon (SEC)-dependent effectors likely involved in bacterial survival and virulence of Las and analysed their expression in their plant host (citrus) and insect vector (Diaphorina citri). Individual SEC-dependent effectors exhibited differential expression patterns between host and vector, indicating that Las uses its effector repertoire to differentially modulate diverse organisms. Collectively, this work provides insights into the evolution of ‘Ca. Liberibacter’ species, the introduction of Las in the United States and identifies promising Las targets for disease management.     

Quantitative real-time PCR for detection and identification of Candidatus Liberibacter species associated with citrus huanglongbing

Citrus huanglongbing (HLB, ex greening) is one of the most serious diseases of citrus. Different forms of the disease are caused by different Candidatus Liberobacter species, Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (Las), Ca. L. africanus (Laf) and Ca. L. americanus (Lam). The pathogen is transmitted by psyllid insects and by budding with contaminated plant materials. The vector psyllid Diaphorina citri can transmit both Las and Lam. Establishment of this vector into Florida, reports of Lam and Las in Brazil in 2004, and recent confirmation of HLB in Florida in September 2005 is of great concern to the citrus industry. Research on HLB has been hampered by the unculturable nature of the causal bacterium in artificial media. It has also been difficult to detect and identify the pathogens, possibly because of low concentration and uneven distribution in host plants and vector psyllids. In this study, we developed quantitative TaqMan PCR using 16S rDNA-based TaqMan primer-probe sets specific to the different Ca. Liberobacter spp. An additional primer-probe set based on plant cytochrome oxidase (COX) was used as a positive internal control to assess the quality of the DNA extracts. The assays do not cross-react with other pathogens or endophytes commonly resident in citrus plants, and are very sensitive. HLB pathogen DNA was successfully amplified from the equivalent of 20 ng of midrib tissue from symptomatic leaves. The consistent results of the assays with DNA extracted from plants infected by various Ca. Liberibacter species grown in greenhouses and in the field demonstrated a degree of reproducibility for these TaqMan assays. Inhibitors of the PCR that are frequently present in plant extracts did not affect the assay results. The population of the pathogens was estimated to be 5 x 10(7) and 2 x 10(6) cells/g of fresh midribs of symptomatic sweet orange leaves infected by Las and Lam, respectively. The ratio of pathogen DNA to host plant DNA was estimated by to be 1:13,000 (w/w) and 1:1000 (c/c: target copy/target copy) in DNA extracts obtained by a standard CTAB method. Our rapid, sensitive and specific TaqMan PCR assay for the detection, identification and quantification of Ca. Liberibacter species has been successfully used in the confirmation of HLB caused by Las in Florida, and will be very useful for a broad range of research programs as well as the regulatory response and management of HLB disease.     

Diversity of “Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus,” Based on the omp Gene Sequence

Huanglongbing (yellow dragon disease) is a destructive disease of citrus. The etiological agent is a noncultured, phloem-restricted alpha-proteobacterium, “Candidatus Liberibacter africanus” in Africa and “Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus” in Asia. In this study, we used an omp-based PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) approach to analyze the genetic variability of “Ca. Liberibacter asiaticus” isolates. By using five different enzymes, each the 10 isolates tested could be associated with a specific combination of restriction profiles. The results indicate that the species “Ca. Liberibacter asiaticus,” even within a given region, may comprise several different variants. Thus, omp-based PCR-RFLP analysis is a simple method for detecting and differentiating “Ca. Liberibacter asiaticus” isolates.     

中国—越南柑桔黄龙病病原16S rDNA片段的序列分析

采集广西、广东和越南的8个柑桔黄龙病样品,利用黄龙病的特异引物OI1/OI2c对其16S rDNA片段进行PCR扩增,将其扩增产物纯化、回收,进行序列测定。利用DNAstar软件、clustalw2软件和MEGA4.0软件进行同源性分析与系统发育分析。结果表明,越南黄龙病株系(Vietnam-0901和Vietnam-0905)与除广西样品GX-1001和广东样品GD-1002外所有亚洲种柑桔黄龙病病原的同源性都很高(97.6%～100.0%),而与非洲种、美洲种和土豆斑马条纹病的同源性相对较低(分别为96.0%/97.7%,94.7%/96.4%和96.2%/97.6%)。表明我国广东、广西和越南发生的HLB病原均属亚洲种,但在亚洲种之间不同地区的黄龙病病原也发生了一定变异,广西样品GX-1001和广东样品GD-1002与其它亚洲种柑桔黄龙病病原的同源性较其它亚洲种株系偏低,但聚类还是归在一个类群,表明相同地域内的黄龙病病原菌还存在一定差异。     

Oral delivery of double-stranded RNAs and siRNAs induces RNAi effects in the potato/tomato psyllid, Bactericerca cockerelli

The potato/tomato psyllid, Bactericerca cockerelli (B. cockerelli), and the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri (D. citri), are very important plant pests, but they are also vectors of phloem-limited bacteria that are associated with two devastating plant diseases. B. cockerelli is the vector of Candidatus Liberibacter psyllaurous (solanacearum), which is associated with zebra chip disease of potatoes, and D. citri is the vector of Ca. Liberibacter asiaticus, which is associated with the Huanglongbing (citrus greening) disease that currently threatens the entire Florida citrus industry. Here we used EST sequence information from D. citri to identify potential targets for RNA interference in B. cockerelli. We targeted ubiquitously expressed and gut-abundant mRNAs via injection and oral acquisition of double-stranded RNAs and siRNAs and were able to induce mortality in recipient psyllids. We also showed knockdown of target mRNAs, and that oral acquisition resulted primarily in mRNA knockdown in the psyllid gut. Concurrent with gene knockdown was the accumulation of target specific ～ 21 nucleotide siRNAs for an abundant mRNA for BC-Actin. These results showed that RNAi can be a powerful tool for gene function studies in psyllids, and give support for continued efforts for investigating RNAi approaches as possible tools for psyllid and plant disease control.     

Candidate gene makers for Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus for detecting citrus greening disease

Citrus Huanglongbing (HLB) also known as citrus greening is one of the most devastating diseases of citrus worldwide. The disease is caused by Candidatus Liberibacter bacterium, vectored by the psyllid Diaphorina citri Kuwayama and Trioza erytreae Del Guercio. Citrus plants infected by the HLB bacterium may not show visible symptoms sometimes for years following infection. The aim of this study was to develop effective gene-specific primer pairs for polymerase chain reaction based method for quick screening of HLB disease. Thirty-two different gene-specific primer pairs, across the Ca. Liberibacter asiaticus genome, were successfully developed. The possibility of these primer pairs for cross-genome amplification across ‘Ca. Liberibacter africanus’ and ‘Ca. Liberibacter americanus’ were tested. The applicability of these primer pairs for detection and differentiation of Ca Liberibacter spp. is discussed.     

亚洲柑橘木虱与柑橘黄龙病菌互作的研究进展

亚洲柑橘木虱Diaphorina citri Kuwayama作为柑橘产业重要病害柑橘黄龙病的主要传播媒介,已经成为重点防治对象。该害虫与黄龙病之间的互作一直是相关研究的热点,本文就近年来该领域的研究进展做了一个总结,从亚洲柑橘木虱的获菌与传病机制、病原菌与柑橘木虱之间的互作以及病原菌感染寄主植物后对木虱的影响等方面进行了综述。期望为深入开展黄龙病相关研究、寻找防控新途径提供依据。     

Enhanced proliferation and efficient transmission of Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus by adult Diaphorina citri after acquisition feeding in the nymphal stage

We carried out a quantitative detection of Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus, the bacterium associated with the disease of huanglongbing, in the vector psyllid Diaphorina citri by using a TaqMan real‐time PCR assay. The concentration of the bacterium was monitored at 5‐day intervals for a period of 20 days after psyllids were exposed as fifth instar nymphs or adults to a Ca. L. asiaticus‐infected plant for an acquisition access period of 24 h. When adults fed on Ca. L. asiaticus‐infected plant, the concentration of the bacterium did not increase significantly and the pathogen was not transmitted to any citrus seedlings. In contrast, when psyllids fed on infected plant as nymphs, the concentration of the pathogen significantly increased by 25‐, 360‐ and 130‐fold from the initial acquisition day to 10, 15 and 20 days, respectively. Additionally, the pathogen was successfully transmitted to 67% of citrus seedlings by emerging adults. Our data suggested that multiplication of the bacterium into the psyllids is essential for an efficient transmission and show that it is difficult for adults to transmit the pathogen unless they acquire it as nymphs.     

长春花内生细菌多样性与柑橘黄龙病菌的相关性

【目的】分析感柑橘黄龙病长春花植株与健康长春花植株不同部位内生细菌菌群结构变化,为柑橘黄龙病菌与长春花内生细菌的相关性研究提供理论基础。【方法】本研究利用兼性厌氧可培养技术、16S rDNA限制性片段长度多态性分析(Restriction fragment length polymorphism,RFLP)以及16S rDNA序列分析相结合的方法。【结果】分别从感病和健康长春花叶、茎、根的组织中分离获得67株内生细菌,与GenBank中29种细菌的相似性达到97%-100%。其中短小杆菌属(Curtobacterium sp.)、欧文氏菌属(Erwinia sp.)、蜡样芽胞杆菌(Bacillus cereus)为感病长春花内生细菌的优势菌群,鞘胺醇单胞菌属(Brevundimonas sp.)、芽胞杆菌属(Bacillus sp.)为健康长春花内生细菌的优势菌群;马胃葡萄球菌(Staphylococcus equorum)为两者的共同优势菌群。通过RFLP方法分析,感病株得到16个、健株得到23个操作分类单元(Operational TaxonomicUnits,OTUs),感病植株中除柑橘黄龙病菌Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus外,还有丰富的CandidatusLiberibacter sp.存在。【结论】感病与健康长春花植株中均含有丰富的内生细菌,黄龙病菌的存在改变了长春花原有内生细菌的菌群结构,且菌群多样性下降。可见长春花内生细菌在一定程度上受到柑橘黄龙病菌的抑制。     

基于16S rDNA序列的柑桔木虱体内共生菌多样性研究

昆虫消化道内是一个复杂的微生态系统,有大量的微生物存在.这些微生物对寄主发育、营养吸收和防御方面都起着重要的作用.本文利用基于16S rRNA基因的PCR-RFLP指纹图谱法和变性梯度凝胶电泳(denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis,DGGE)的方法对柑桔黄龙病虫-媒柑桔木虱Di...     

A new Huanglongbing Species, "Candidatus Liberibacter psyllaurous," found to infect tomato and potato, is vectored by the psyllid Bactericera cockerelli (Sulc)

A new huanglongbing (HLB) "Candidatus Liberibacter" species is genetically characterized, and the bacterium is designated "Candidatus Liberibacter psyllaurous." This bacterium infects the psyllid Bactericera cockerelli and its solanaceous host plants potato and tomato, potentially resulting in "psyllid yellowing." Host plant-dependent HLB transmission and variation in psyllid infection frequencies are found.     

Using network theory to survey for

Pathogens are well known to spread through networks of conveyors. The resulting distribution and progress of disease is often quite different to expected distributions made by compartmental models (natural spread). This paper outlines the use of network theory to target risk sites for surveillance of Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum. Results are presented together with a discussion on the likely role that the conveyor network for Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum has played in the spread of the disease and its vector within New Zealand and on-going implications.     

基于纳米孔测序技术的柑橘黄龙病检测方法建立

柑橘黄龙病(Huanglongbing)是柑橘生产上最具毁灭性的病害,及时快速地进行早期检测和诊断是防控黄龙病的关键措施之一.本文利用掌上纳米孔测序仪MinION对携带黄龙病菌Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus的DNA样品进行测序,并利用Blast、GraphMap、minimap2以及两种bwa的比对方法将测序结果比对到黄龙病菌基因组上,比对结果均匀的比对到黄龙病菌基因组上,并未发现严重的偏倚现象,验证了其测序结果的可靠性.本技术可弥补因柑橘木虱Diaphorina citri(Kuwayama)虫体过小或损坏难以进行光学识别的不足,并可同时检测虫体是否携带有黄龙病菌,对有黄龙病发生风险但尚未有黄龙病实际发生的柑橘种植区提供实时实地的监控与预警.     

越南地区柑橘黄龙病发生及防治

黄龙病是全球广泛发生的毁灭性病害,柑橘木虱为其主要媒介昆虫。越南最早于上个世纪六十年代有相关报道。通过一些国际合作项目,越南对柑橘木虱和黄龙病进行了一系列研究并积极采取措施有效防控:包括消除病株、筛选抗病虫品种、改变种植密度和时间、化学防治与生物防治、作物间种、喷施矿物油乳剂、施用有机肥、使用无病苗和无病接穗并在运输过程中封闭保护等。其中控制黑臭蚁Dolichoderus thoracicus增殖黄猄蚁Oecophylla smaragdina、交错式间种番石榴以控制柑橘木虱和黄龙病值得中国借鉴和参考。     

Differentiation of Indian,East Timorese,Papuan and Floridian ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’ isolates on the basis of simple sequence repeat and single nucleotide polymorphism profiles at 25 loci

Japanese isolates of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’ have been shown to be clearly differentiated by simple sequence repeat (SSR) profiles at four loci. In this study, 25 SSR loci, including these four loci, were selected from the whole‐genome sequence and were used to differentiate non‐Japanese samples of ‘Ca. Liberibacter asiaticus’ (13 Indian, 3 East Timorese, 1 Papuan and 8 Floridian samples). Out of the 25 SSR loci, 13 were polymorphic. Dendrogram analysis using SSR loci showed that the clusters were mostly consistent with the geographical origins of the isolates. When single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were searched around these 25 loci, only the upstream region of locus 091 exhibited polymorphism. Phylogenetic tree analysis of the SNPs in the upstream region of locus 091 showed that Floridian samples were clustered into one group as shown by dendrogram analysis using SSR loci. The differences in nucleotide sequences were not associated with differences in the citrus hosts (lime, mandarin, lemon and sour orange) from which the isolates were originally derived.