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Comparison of the genomes of two Xanthomonas pathogens with differing host specificities

Nature volume 417, pages 459–463 (2002)Cite this article

Abstract

The genus Xanthomonas is a diverse and economically important group of bacterial phytopathogens, belonging to the γ-subdivision of the Proteobacteria. Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri (Xac) causes citrus canker, which affects most commercial citrus cultivars, resulting in significant losses worldwide. Symptoms include canker lesions, leading to abscission of fruit and leaves and general tree decline1. Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (Xcc) causes black rot, which affects crucifers such as Brassica and Arabidopsis. Symptoms include marginal leaf chlorosis and darkening of vascular tissue, accompanied by extensive wilting and necrosis2. Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris is grown commercially to produce the exopolysaccharide xanthan gum, which is used as a viscosifying and stabilizing agent in many industries3. Here we report and compare the complete genome sequences of Xac and Xcc. Their distinct disease phenotypes and host ranges belie a high degree of similarity at the genomic level. More than 80% of genes are shared, and gene order is conserved along most of their respective chromosomes. We identified several groups of strain-specific genes, and on the basis of these groups we propose mechanisms that may explain the differing host specificities and pathogenic processes.

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Figure 1: Nucleotide alignment between Xac and Xcc.
Figure 2: Comparative genome map.

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Acknowledgements

We thank A. M. da Silva, S. Verjovski-Almeida and D. W. Wood for reading of the manuscript; our steering committee (S. Oliver, A. Goffeau, J. Sgouros, A. C. M. Paiva and J. L. Azevedo) for their critical accompaniment; and all the technicians in the sequencing laboratories of ONSA involved in this project. Project funding was from FAPESP, Fundecitrus, Fundect-MS and CNPq.

Author information

Author notes

  1. F. C. Reinach & J. P. Kitajima

    Present address: Alellyx Applied Genomics, Rua James Clark Maxwell 320, Techno Park, 13067-850, Campinas, SP, Brazil

  2. F. F. White

    Present address: Department of Plant Pathology, Kansas State University, 4024 Throckmorton Hall, Manhattan, Kansas, 66506, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes 748, Universidade de São Paulo, 05508-900, São Paulo, SP, Brazil

    A. C. R. da Silva, F. C. Reinach, C. S. Farah, R. B. Quaggio, F. Chambergo, H. El-Dorry, A. J. S. Ferreira, L. M. Moreira, R. F. de Souza & M. Trindade dos Santos

  2. Departamento de Botânica, Instituto de Biociências, Rua do Matão 277,

    M. A. Van Sluys & M. C. Oliveira

  3. Universidade de São Paulo, 05508-900, São Paulo, SP, Brazil

    M. A. Van Sluys & M. C. Oliveira

  4. Departamento Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes 1374, Universidade de São Paulo, 05508-900, São Paulo, SP, Brazil

    J. B. Faria, R. C. C. Ferreira, C. F. M. Menck & V. R. Oliveira

  5. Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Dr. Orlando Marques de Paiva 87, 05508-900, São Paulo, SP, Brazil

    A. Gruber, A. M. Katsuyama, A. M. B. N. Madeira, C. Silva, L. A. F. Spinola & R. E. Tamura

  6. Departamento de Biologica, Instituto de Biociências, Rua do Matão 277

    C. Y. Miyaki

  7. Universidade de São Paulo, 05508-900, São Paulo, Brazil

    C. Y. Miyaki

  8. Departamento de Tecnologia, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Via de Acesso Prof. Paulo Donato Castellane s/n, 14884-900, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil

    J. A. Ferro, L. M. C. Alves, L. P. Ciapina, M. I. T. Ferro, C. C. Greggio, L. T. Kishi, E. G. M. Lemos, H. A. Pereira, R. I. D. Tezza & F. F. White

  9. Departamento de Biologia Aplicada à Agropecuária, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Via de Acesso Prof. Paulo Donato Castellane s/n, 14884-900, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil

    M. V. F. Lemos & J. A. D. Sena

  10. Departamento de Melhoramento e Nutrição Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Fazenda Lageado, Caixa Postal 560, 18600-000, Botucatu, SP, Brazil

    L. R. Furlan

  11. Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Pádua Dias 11, 13418-900, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil

    C. B. Monteiro-Vitorello, L. E. A. Camargo, G. Camarotte, L. L. Coutinho & D. Truffi

  12. Departamento de Computação e Estatística, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Cx Postal 549, 79070-900, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil

    N. F. Almeida

  13. Centro de Citricultura Sylvio Moreira—IAC, Rod. Anhanguera, km 158, Cx. Postal 04, 13.490-970, Cordeirópolis, SP, Brazil

    A. M. do Amaral, E. C. Locali, M. A. Machado & M. A. Takita

  14. Departamento de Bioquímica e Tecnologia Química, Instituto de Química, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Cx. Postal 355, 14801-970, Araraquara, SP, Brazil

    M. C. Bertolini, M. T. M. Novo & E. C. Teixeira

  15. Centro de Energia Nuclear na Agricultura, Av. Centenário 303, 13400-970, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil

    F. Cannavan, E. F. Formighieri, M. C. Franco, D. H. Moon & S. M. Tsai

  16. Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Rod. Araraquara-Jaú km 01, 14.801-902, Araraquara, SP, Brazil

    J. Cardozo, R. M. B. Cicarelli & E. C. Martins

  17. Departamento de Genética, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes 3900, 14049-900, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil

    J. R. Cursino-Santos & N. M. Martinez-Rossi

  18. Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes 3900, 14049-900, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil

    A. Rossi

  19. Instituto de Tecnologia do Paraná, IAPAR, Cx. Postal 481, 86001-970, Londrina, PR, Brazil

    R. P. Leite

  20. Instituto de Computação, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Cx Postal 6176, 13084-971, Campinas, SP, Brazil

    J. Meidanis, V. K. Okura & J. C. Setubal

  21. Centro de Biologia Molecular e Engenharia Genética/Instituto de Computação, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Cx Postal 6176, 13084-971, Campinas, SP, Brazil

    J. P. Kitajima

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  1. A. C. R. da Silva
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Correspondence to A. C. R. da Silva.

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da Silva, A., Ferro, J., Reinach, F. et al. Comparison of the genomes of two Xanthomonas pathogens with differing host specificities. Nature 417, 459–463 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1038/417459a

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