Publications

4852

‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’ is an insect-transmitted, phloem-restricted α-proteobacterium associated with huanglongbing. Here, we provide the whole genome sequence of ‘Ca. L. asiaticus’ strain ReuSP1 from its insect vector Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae) collected in La Réunion. The genome is composed of 1,230,064 bp and has a 36.5% G+C content. This study reports the first ‘Ca. L. asiaticus’ genome sequence from La Réunion, which will add to ‘Ca. L. asiaticus’ genome resources and help elucidate our understanding of the introduction pathway into La Réunion.

‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus,’ an uncultured α-proteobacterium, is associated with citrus huanglongbing (HLB, yellow shoot disease), a destructive disease threatening citrus production worldwide. Here, we reported the draft genome sequence of ‘Ca. L. asiaticus’ strain Myan16 from an HLB-affected lime tree in Myitkyina, Kachin State, Myanmar. The strain Myan16 genome is 1,229,102 bp with an average G+C content of 36.4%, along with a circular prophage: P-Myan16-2 (36,303 bp, type 2). This is the first genome sequence of a ‘Ca. L. asiaticus’ strain from Myanmar, which will enrich the current ‘Ca. L. asiaticus’ genome sequence database and facilitate HLB epidemiology research in Asia and world.

AbstractNonulosonic acids (NulOs) are a family of acidic carbohydrates with a nine-carbon backbone, which include different related structures, such as sialic acids. They have mainly been studied for their relevance in animal cells and pathogenic bacteria. Recently, sialic acids have been discovered as an important compound in the extracellular matrix of virtually all microbial life and in “CandidatusAccumulibacter phosphatis”, a well-studied polyphosphate-accumulating organism, in particular. Here, bioaggregates highly enriched with these bacteria (approx. 95% based on proteomic data) were used to study the production of NulOs in an enrichment of this microorganism. Fluorescence lectin-binding analysis, enzymatic quantification, and mass spectrometry were used to analyze the different NulOs present, showing a wide distribution and variety of these carbohydrates, such as sialic acids and bacterial NulOs, in the bioaggregates. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed the potential of “Ca. Accumulibacter” to produce different types of NulOs. Proteomic analysis showed the ability of “Ca. Accumulibacter” to reutilize and reincorporate these carbohydrates. This investigation points out the importance of diverse NulOs in non-pathogenic bacteria, which are normally overlooked. Sialic acids and other NulOs should be further investigated for their role in the ecology of “Ca. Accumulibacter” in particular, and biofilms in general.Key Points•“Ca. Accumulibacter” has the potential to produce a range of nonulosonic acids.•Mass spectrometry and lectin binding can reveal the presence and location of nonulosonic acids.•The role of nonulosonic acid in non-pathogenic bacteria needs to be studied in detail.