Pathogenicity mechanisms investigation of Streptomyces spp. associated to potato scab by genome and transcriptome analysis

• Grant number: 19/08379-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: June 01, 2019
• End date: August 31, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Plant Health
• Principal Investigator: Suzete Aparecida Lanza Destéfano
• Grantee: Mariana Ferreira Tonin
• Host Institution: Instituto Biológico (IB). Agência Paulista de Tecnologia dos Agronegócios (APTA). Secretaria de Agricultura e Abastecimento (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 17/50334-3 - Institutional research development plan (PDIp): modernization and adequacy of strategic multi-user units of the Instituto Biológico, AP.PDIP

Abstract

Potato is a crop of great economic importance, representing the third main crop for human consumption, after rice and wheat. Due to its nutritional characteristics, potato is one of the most important vegetables in the diet of several countries and is considered the second largest source of nutrients. However, despite increased production, the productivity is still considered low due to the pests and diseases that affect the crop. Among them, potato scab caused by different species of bacteria of the genus Streptomyces stands out. This disease affects the underground parts of the plant, mainly the tubers; has a widespread occurrence in the producing regions of Brazil and has been increasing considerably, becoming a limiting factor in potato production in the country. Symptoms are characterized by superficial or deep lesions that can take the whole surface of the tuber, causing decrease of its commercial value and even preventing its commercialization. Different studies have demonstrated correlation between the Streptomyces sp. pathogenicity and the presence of pathogenicity genes nec1, tomA and txtAB, which are shared by horizontal transfer and are located in a cromossome region called Pathogenicity Island (PAI). This region has genes responsable for the pathogen binding to the host, penetration, colonization and evasion of the plant defense system. However, pathogenicity may not always be correlated with the presence of these genes, indicating that other pathways of pathogenicity must also be involved in the process. So, the present study aims the genome and transcriptome analysis of Streptomyces spp. in order to identify genes or regions not yet known involved in the pathogenicity mechanism of these phytopathogens.