Production and characterization of nonpathogenic mutants of Xylella fastidiosa CVC-strain, the causal agent of the citrus variagated chlorosis (CVC)

• Grant number: 99/04340-1
• Support Opportunities: Genome Research Grants
• Start date: November 01, 1999
• End date: October 31, 2003
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics
• Principal Investigator: Patricia Brant Monteiro
• Grantee: Patricia Brant Monteiro
• Host Institution: Fundo de Defesa da Citricultura (FUNDECITRUS). Araraquara , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 01/02078-0 - Production and characterization of nonpathogenic mutants of Xylella fastidiosa CVC-strain, the causal agent of the citrus variegated chlorosis (CVC), BP.TT

Abstract

Xylella fastidiosa is the casual bacterium of Citrus Variegated Chlorosis (CVC), one of the most severe disease in Brazilian citriculture. With the genome sequencing of CVC X. fastidiosa, putative virulence determinants will be identified, but for their evaluation, it is necessary to develop systems for genetic manipulation of this microorganism. The purpose of our project is to identify genes involved in the bacterial pathogenicity by characterizing nonpathogenic mutants. To produce and characterize X. fastidiosa mutants, gene transfer systems that include a transformation method (electroporation with purified plasmid DNA or conjugation with E. coli donor strains), gene vectors (suicide for gene disruption/replacement and replicative for functional complementation of mutants), and mutagenesis (site-directed by homologous recombination and random by transposon insertion) will be developed for the screening of nonpathogenic mutants. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

SOUZA‚ L.C.A.; WULFF‚ N.A.; GAURIVAUD‚ P.; MARIANO‚ A.G.; VIRGÍLIO‚ A.C.D.; AZEVEDO‚ J.L.; MONTEIRO‚ P.B.. Disruption of Xylella fastidiosa CVC gumB and gumF genes affects biofilm formation without a detectable influence on exopolysaccharide production. FEMS Microbiology Letters, v. 257, n. 2, p. 236-242, 2006. (99/04340-1)

WULFF‚ N.A.; MARIANO‚ A.G.; GAURIVAUD‚ P.; DE ALMEIDA SOUZA‚ L.C.; VIRGÍLIO‚ A.C.D.; MONTEIRO‚ P.B.. Influence of culture medium pH on growth‚ aggregation‚ and biofilm formation of Xylella fastidiosa. Current Microbiology, v. 57, n. 2, p. 127-132, 2008. (99/04340-1, 01/02078-0)