Comparative analysis of the plasmids from two isolates of "Candidatus Phytoplasma australiense"

Plasmid. 2006 Sep;56(2):138-44. doi: 10.1016/j.plasmid.2006.02.001. Epub 2006 Apr 18.

Abstract

Two plasmids from the plant-pathogenic mollicute "Candidatus Phytoplasma australiense" were completely sequenced from two isolates derived from different plant hosts. Plasmid pPAPh2 (3607bp) was obtained from Phormium showing Phormium yellow leaf symptoms and pPASb11 (3635bp) from strawberry showing strawberry lethal yellows symptoms. The plasmids varied in their copy number and nucleotide sequence yet contained the same four open reading frames (ORFs). The deduced amino acid sequence derived from ORF1 shares similarity with hypothetical proteins encoded on the plasmids from onion yellows and beet leafhopper-transmitted virescence agent phytoplasmas. The deduced amino acid sequences of both ORF2 and ORF3 share similarity with functionally unknown proteins on the chromosome of onion yellows phytoplasma. An ORF with a similar sequence to ORF2 is also present on the chromosome of "Ca. P. australiense." The deduced amino acid sequence derived from ORF4 is most similar to replication proteins encoded by other phytoplasma plasmids and by geminiviruses, the only protein on the plasmids for which a putative function can be assigned. The identities of the deduced amino acid sequences of ORF1, ORF2, ORF3, and ORF4 between pPAPh2 and pPASb11 were 89, 68, 91, and 68%, respectively; the differences being consistent with the subgroup status of the parental phytoplasmas.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Asparagaceae / microbiology*
  • Base Sequence
  • Chromosome Mapping
  • DNA Primers
  • Fragaria / microbiology*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Phytoplasma / genetics*
  • Plant Diseases / genetics*
  • Plasmids / genetics*
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA

Substances

  • DNA Primers

Associated data

  • GENBANK/DQ318776
  • GENBANK/DQ318777