Detection system for Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri using Rolling Circle Amplification

Abstract:

Padlock probe was designed based on the sequence of the unique hypothetic protein gene in complete genome of Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri (Xac), and amplification primers ware designed according to the universal linking sequence of padlock probe. Detection system of rolling circle amplification (RCA) was established and optimized. Results show that the system could detect Xac and its DNA specifically, while other plant pathogens and bacteria attached on the surface of citrus leaves could not be detected. This indicates that the detection system had its specificity. The detection sensitivity of RCA was 20 cfu/mL for Xac cells and 102copy/mL for cloned DNA fragment, which was slightly higher than the sensitivity of conventional PCR. Leaf samples collected from orange orchards were detected with both RCA and conventional PCR. The result shows that the Xac positive percentage had no remarkable difference between the two methods (P>0.01). Because the universal linking sequence in padlock probe can use same amplification condition, the new technology and detection system can be used to detect diverse plant pathogens simultaneously in plant quarantine and disease pre-symptom diagnosis.