iMetaOmics | Chinese Erwinia amylovora strains genetic variations, plasmid diversity and ancestor

Comparative genomic analysis of Chinese Erwinia amylovora strains reveals genetic variations, plasmid diversity, and potential common ancestor
Peijie Gong, Weibo Sun, Jianping Yi, Jian Han, Meili Liu, Chenyang Han, Liang Ming, Bangwei Wang, Ming Luo, Yancun Zhao, Fengquan Liu
First published: 29 November 2024 doi.org/10.100...
Graphical Abstract
The bacterial pathogen Erwinia amylovora is the causative agent of fire blight, a devastating disease affecting rosaceous plants globally. Pathogenicity tests in immature pears demonstrated E. amylovora discovered in China exhibit different virulences. Through full-genome sequencing and genetic variations assay, Each strain exhibited a chromosome size of approximately 3.8 Mb, with distinct distribution patterns in plasmids. The genomes of all sequenced strains were compared to the model strain CFBP1430. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and short deletions, insertions, and other polymorphisms (DIPs) were identified and shared SNPs and DIPs among strains suggest genomic homogeneity, with a higher level of specificity in DIPs. Phylogenetic analysis inferred that the primary pathway of fire blight spread to China followed a trajectory from the Middle East to Central Asia, ultimately reaching Xinjiang.