In collaboration with the South and North Branches of China Human Genome Research Center, and Guangxi University, a study team headed by HE Chaozu, research fellow of the Institute of Microbiology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, have completed the full sequence of Xanthomonas campestris pathovar campestris (Xcc). Chinese scientists systematically studied the genes that make the causative agents of black rot disease, using advanced means of comparative and functional genomics. Researchers spotted 75 genes in 13 genus from 16,512 transformants, or 1.8% of the 4,273 genes in the genome, that bear direct or indirect linkages with the genesis and development of the disease. The identification of these genes show a very complicated process to produce black rot disease, needing combined physiological and metabolic efforts of multiple bacteria. The finding was reported as a cover story in the journal Genome Research published on May 16, 2005.
The finding provides genetic evidences and experimental materials for an in-depth study of molecular aspects of black rot disease. It is also valuable for studying bacteria diseases attacking rice and other plants, opening up a new approach for plant diseases control. |
