Amplification Polymorphism Among Xanthomonas albilineans Strains, Using a Single Oligonucleotide Primer

A genomic library was produced by a subtractive hybridisation method using DNA from Xanthomonas albilineans serovar I and X. albilineans serovar II, originating from Mauritius. The cloned fragments were amplified and used as probes for Southern hybridisation. Probe F20 was selected on the basis of the RFLP pattern. Upon hybridisation of X. albilineans DNA with probe F20, strains of serovars I and II were differentiated by their banding profiles. This probe was sequenced and oligonucleotide primers were designed. Fragment number and length polymorphisms were obtained after PCR amplification of X. albilineans DNA using F20A as a single primer. The number and size of bands obtained with this primer was correlated to the serotypes of the strains and to the DNA grouping reported by Alvarez et al. (1996). The two serotypes I and II which exist in Mauritius were differentiated by the PCR using primer F20A. The probe and primer developed provide rapid and precise tools for the differentiation of genetic variants within the species X. albilineans.