Analysis of the Taxonomy, Synteny, and Virulence Factors for Soft Rot Pathogen Pectobacterium aroidearum in Amorphophallus konjac Using Comparative Genomics

Abstract

Bacterial soft rot is a devastating disease for a wide range of crops, vegetables, and ornamental plants including konjac (Amorphophallus konjac). However, the pangenome and genomic plasticity of the konjac soft rot pathogens is little explored. In this study, we reported the complete genome sequences of 11 bacterial isolates that can cause typical soft rot symptoms in konjac by in vitro and in vivo pathogenicity tests. Based on in silico DNA–DNA hybridization, average nucleotide identity and phylogenomic analysis, all 11 isolates were determined to be Pectobacterium aroidearum. In addition, synteny analysis of these genomes revealed considerable chromosomal inversions, one of which is triggered by homologous recombination of ribose operon. Pangenome analysis and COG enrichment analysis showed that the pangenome of P. aroidearum is open and that accessory genes are enriched in replication, recombination, and repair. Variations in type IV secretion system and type VI secretion system were found, while plant cell wall degrading enzymes were conserved. Furthermore, sequence analyses also provided evidence for the presence of a type V secretion system in Pectobacterium. These findings advance our understanding of the pathogenicity determinants, genomic plasticity, and evolution of P. aroidearum.

Pan-Genome Analysis with Virulence Factors: Charting the Genomic Landscape of Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC)

“…Also, the results of synteny showed a pattern of conservation of gene order in these core virulence genes. Hence, the presence of these genes in conserved regions suggests a fundamental role highlights their evolutionary signi cance, and underscores their essential role in the bacteria's ability to establish infections [40] Conclusions…”

The endophytic fungal community plays a crucial role in the resistance of host plants to necrotic bacterial pathogens

“…Konjac ( Amorphophallus spp.) plants are perennial herbs of the family Araceae that are widely grown as economic crops in tropical and subtropical Asian countries, such as China, India, and Japan (Zhang et al, 2022). Konjac glucomannan (KGM) is a water‐soluble polysaccharide (dietary fiber) extracted from konjac bulbs that has a wide range of applications in food science and nutrition, biotechnology, the pharmaceutical industry, and fine chemical engineering (Behera and Ray, 2016; Zhu, 2018).…”