|Garcia, Suzanna A -|
|Van Der Lee, Theo A -|
|Ferreira, Claudia -|
|Hekkert, Bas Te Lintel -|
|Carlier, Jean -|
|Guzman, M -|
|Souza, Manoel -|
|Kema, Gert H -|
Submitted to: Genetics and Molecular Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: June 15, 2010
Publication Date: September 20, 2010
Citation: Garcia, S.L., Van Der Lee, T.J., Ferreira, C.F., Hekkert, B., Carlier, J., Goodwin, S.B., Guzman, M., Souza, M.T., Kema, G.J. 2010. Variable Number of Tandem Repeat Markers in the Genome Sequence of Mycosphaerella Fijiensis, the Causal Agent of Black Leaf Streak Disease of Banana (Musa spp.). Genetics and Molecular Research. 9:2207-2212. Interpretive Summary: Mycosphaerella fijiensis, the causal agent of banana leaf streak disease (commonly known as black Sigatoka), is the most devastating pathogen attacking bananas worldwide. Despite its high economic importance, relatively little is known about the population genetics and worldwide migration of this organism due to a lack of available molecular markers. To develop useful molecular markers, the recently available whole-genome sequence of M. fijiensis was screened for the presence of Variable Number of Tandem Repeat (VNTR) markers by computer. Forty-two potential markers were identified based on repeat type, length and the number of repeat units and tested on a panel of isolates of the pathogen from different parts of the world. Eight of the markers showed variable patterns that could be useful for further genetic analyses. Their potential utility was tested further on 48 isolates of M. fijiensis collected from a banana farm in Costa Rica. The markers allowed robust scoring of genetic variation in the laboratory and proved useful for variation and population genetic analyses using basic molecular instrumentation. These markers will be extremely useful to scientists studying the genetics of this organism, to population geneticists and evolutionary biologists analyzing genetic variation within and among populations, and to plant pathologists trying to control leaf streak disease on banana.
Technical Abstract: Mycosphaerella fijiensis, the causal agent of banana leaf streak disease (commonly known as black Sigatoka), is the most devastating pathogen attacking bananas (Musa spp). Recently the whole genome sequence of M. fijiensis became available. This sequence was screened for the presence of Variable Number of Tandem Repeat (VNTR) markers, and 42 primer pairs were selected for validation based on repeat type, length and the number of repeat units. Eight VNTR markers showing multiple alleles in a reference set of isolates from different parts of the world were then tested on 48 isolates collected in a banana farm in Costa Rica. For the eight VNTR markers tested among the worldwide reference isolates and natural population, the number of alleles per locus varied from 2 to 5 and 0 to 6, respectively. The markers allowed robust scoring on agarose gels and proved useful for variation and population genetic analyses using basic molecular instrumentation.