Mitochondrial genomics in the Genus Phytophthora with a focus on Phytophthora ramorum

Abstract

The mitochondrial genomes of Phytophthora infestans, P. ramorum and P. sojae have been sequenced and comparative genomics has provided an opportunity to examine the processes involved with genome evolution in the genus Phytophthora. This approach can also be useful in assessing intraspecific genome evolution and identification of cytoplasmic markers that will be useful in population studies. Polymorphisms have been observed in the mitochondrial genomic sequences of P. ramorum isolates from North America and Europe (13 single base changes and an insertion of 180 bp in the European isolate). The development of seven primer pairs for amplification and sequencing of some of these polymorphic regions has identified four mitochondrial haplotypes. The two most common ones represent the North American and European lineages, but there also is a third haplotype representing the third lineage of the pathogen (from Washington State) and a fourth haplotype found in several isolates recovered from the forest ecosystem in Oregon.

Parent Publication

• Proceedings of the sudden oak death third science symposium

Citation

Martin, Frank N.; Richardson, Paul. 2008. Mitochondrial genomics in the Genus Phytophthora with a focus on Phytophthora ramorum. In: Frankel, Susan J.; Kliejunas, John T.; Palmieri, Katharine M., tech. coords. 2008. Proceedings of the sudden oak death third science symposium. Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-214. Albany, CA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station. pp. 243-246