Comparative Genomic Analysis of Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris Isolates BJSJQ20200612 and GSXT20191014 Provides Novel Insights Into Their Genetic Variability and Virulence

Complete Genome Sequence of a Copper-Resistant Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris Strain Isolated from Broccoli in Mauritius Suggests Adaptive Gene Gain Through Horizontal Gene Transfer

Bacterial adaptation is facilitated by the presence of mobile genetic elements and horizontal gene transfer of genes, such as those coding for virulence factors or resistance to antimicrobial compounds. A hybrid assembly of Nanopore MinIon long-read and Illumina short-read data was produced from a copper-resistant Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris strain isolated from symptomatic broccoli leaves in Mauritius. We obtained a 5.2-Mb high-quality chromosome and no plasmid. We found four genomic islands, three of which were characterized as integrative conjugative elements or integrative mobilizable elements. These genomic islands carried type III effectors and the copper resistance copLABMGF system involved in pathogenicity and environmental adaptation, respectively.

Whole-genome sequencing and comparative genome analysis of Xanthomonas fragariae YM2 causing angular leaf spot disease in strawberry

Background

Angular leaf spot disease caused by plant pathogenic bacterium Xanthomonas fragariae seriously threatens strawberry crop production globally.

Methods

In this study, we sequenced the whole genome of X. fragariae YM2, isolated from Yunnan Province, China. In addition, we performed a comparative genome analysis of X. fragariae YM2 with two existing strains of X. fragariae YL19 and SHQP01 isolated from Liaoning and Shanghai, respectively.

Results

The results of Nanopore sequencing showed that X. fragariae YM2 comprises one single chromosome with a contig size of 4,263,697 bp, one plasmid contig size of 0.39 Mb, a GC content ratio of 62.27%, and 3,958 predicted coding genes. The genome of YM2 comprises gum, hrp, rpf, and xps gene clusters and lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which are typical virulence factors in Xanthomonas species. By performing a comparative genomic analysis between X. fragariae strains YM2, YL19, and SHQP01, we found that strain YM2 is similar to YL19 and SHQP01 regarding genome size and GC contents. However, there are minor differences in the composition of major virulence factors and homologous gene clusters. Furthermore, the results of collinearity analysis demonstrated that YM2 has lower similarity and longer evolutionary distance with YL19 and SHQP01, but YL19 is more closely related to SHQP01.

Conclusions

The availability of this high-quality genetic resource will serve as a basic tool for investigating the biology, molecular pathogenesis, and virulence of X. fragariae YM2. In addition, unraveling the potential vulnerabilities in its genetic makeup will aid in developing more effective disease suppression control measures.