Detection of wheat and barley fungal pathogens which are resistant to certain fungicides using the polymerase chain reaction

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 7041456
  • Patent Number
    7,041,456
  • Date Filed
    Thursday, March 27, 2003
    21 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, May 9, 2006
    18 years ago
Abstract
Primers specific for races of pathogenic fungi which are resistant to certain fungicides are used in polymerase chain reaction assays for the detection of fungal pathogens. The use of these primers enables the detection of specific isolates of fungal pathogens and the monitoring of disease development in plant populations. The invention includes DNA sequences which show variability between different fungal pathotypes. Such DNA sequences are useful in the method of the invention as they can be used to derive primers for use in polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based diagnostic assays. These primers generate unique fragments in PCR reactions in which the DNA template is provided by specific fungal pathotypes and can thus be used to identify the presence or absence of specific pathotypes in host plant material before the onset of disease symptoms.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the use of primers specific for races of pathogenic fungi which are resistant to certain fungicides in polymerase chain reaction assays for the detection of fungal pathogens. The use of these primers enables the detection of specific isolates of fungal pathogens and the monitoring of disease development in plant populations.


BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Diseases in plants cause considerable crop loss from year to year resulting both in economic deprivation to farmers and additionally in many parts of the world to shortfalls in the nutritional provision for local populations. The widespread use of fungicides has provided considerable security against plant pathogen attack. However, despite $1 billion worth of expenditure on fungicides, worldwide crop losses amounted to approximately 10% of crop value in 1981 (James, 1981; Seed Sci. & Technol. 9: 679–685).


The severity of the destructive process of disease depends on the aggressiveness of the pathogen and the response of the host. One aim of most plant breeding programs is to increase the resistance of host plants to disease. Typically, different races of pathogens interact with different varieties of the same crop species differentially, and many sources of host resistance only protect against specific pathogen races. Furthermore, some pathogen races show early signs of disease symptoms, but cause little damage to the crop. Jones and Clifford (1983; Cereal Diseases, John Wiley) report that virulent forms of the pathogen are expected to emerge in the pathogen population in response to the introduction of resistance into host cultivars and that it is therefore necessary to monitor pathogen populations. In addition, there are several documented cases of the evolution of fungal strains which are resistant to particular fungicides. As early as 1981, Fletcher and Wolfe (1981; Proc. 1981 Brit. Crop Prot. Conf.) contended that 24% of the powdery mildew populations from spring barley, and 53% from winter barley showed considerable variation in response to the fungicide triadimenol and that the distribution of these populations varied between varieties with the most susceptible variety also giving the highest incidence of less susceptible types. Similar variation in the sensitivity of fungi to fungicides has been documented for wheat mildew (also to triadimenol), Botrytis (to benomyl), Pyrenophora (to organomercury), Tapesia (to MBC-type fungicides) and Mycosphaerella fijiensis to triazoles to mention just a few (Jones and Clifford; Cereal Diseases, John Wiley, 1983).


Cereal species are grown world-wide and represent a major fraction of world food production. Although yield loss is caused by many pathogens, the necrotizing pathogens Septoria and Tapesia are particularly important in the major cereal growing areas of Europe and North America (Jones and Clifford; Cereal Diseases, John Wiley, 1983). In particular, the differential symptomology caused by different isolates and species of these fungi make the accurate predictive determination of potential disease loss difficult. Consequently, the availability of improved diagnostic techniques for the rapid and accurate identification of specific pathogens will be of considerable use to field pathologists.


The eyespot disease of cereals is caused by the fungi Tapesia yallundae and Tapesia acuformis is restricted to the basal culm of the plant. The two causal pathogens were previously classified as two subspecies of Pseudocercosporella herpotrichoides (Fron) Deighton (anamorph). T. yallundae refers to the variety herpotrichoides and the SF-,L-,I- or W-types. T acuformis corresponds to the variety acuformis and the FE-, N-, II- or R-types (Leroux and Gredt, 1997; 51:321–327). Wheat, rye, oats and other grasses are susceptible to the eyespot disease which occurs in cool, moist climates and is prevalent in Europe, North and South America, Africa and Australia. Wheat is the most susceptible cereal species, but isolates have been identified which are also virulent on other cereals. The R-strain (T. acuformis) of the fungus, for example, has also been isolated from rye and grows more slowly on wheat than the W-strain (T. yallundae) which has been isolated from wheat. Although eyespot may kill tillers or plants outright, it more usually causes lodging and/or results in a reduction in kernel size and number. Yield losses associated with eyespot are of even greater magnitude than those associated with Septoria tritici and Septoria nodorum. Typical control measures for eyespot include treatment with growth regulators to strengthen intemodes, and fungicide treatment. However, the differing susceptibility of cultivars to different strains of the fungus render the predictive efficacy of fungicide treatments difficult. In addition, both Leroux et al (1997; Pesticide Science, 51:321–327) and Dyer et al (2000; Appl. and Environ. Microbiol. 66:4599–4604) have reported on isolates of T. yallundae with reduced sensitivity to the imidazole DMI fungicide prochloraz (1-[N-propyl-N-[2-92,4,6-trichlorophenoxy)ethyl]carbamoyl]-imidazole). Following heavy treatments of benzimidazole fungicides such as benomyl, carbendazim and thiabendazole, acquired resistance to this class of fungicides was determined in both T. acuformis and T. yallundae (Leroux and Cavelier, 1983; Phytoma 351:40) and (Cavelier et al, 1985; Bull. OEPP 85:495).


Thus, there is a real need for the development of technology which will allow the identification of specific races of pathogen fungi which are resistance to certain fungicides early in the infection process. By identifying the specific race of a pathogen before disease symptoms become evident in the crop stand, the agriculturist can assess the likely effects of further development of the pathogen in the crop variety in which it has been identified and can choose an appropriate fungicide if such application is deemed necessary.


SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the use of primers specific for races of pathogenic fungi which are resistant to certain fungicides in polymerase chain reaction assays for the detection of fungal pathogens. The invention provides DNA sequences which show variability between different fungal pathotypes. Such DNA sequences are useful in the method of the invention as they can be used to derive primers for use in polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based diagnostic assays. These primers generate unique fragments in PCR reactions in which the DNA template is provided by specific fungal pathotypes and can thus be used to identify the presence or absence of specific pathotypes in host plant material before the onset of disease symptoms.


This invention provides the possibility of assessing potential damage in a specific crop variety-pathogen strain relationship and of utilizing judiciously the diverse armory of fungicides which is available. Furthermore, it can be used to provide detailed information on the development and spread of specific pathogen races over extended geographical areas.


Kits useful in the practice of the invention are also provided. The kits find particular use in the identification of Tapesia pathogens.


The present invention provides a nucleic acid molecule comprising the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NOS: 3–13 or 14. In a more preferred embodiment, the nucleic acid molecule has sequence identity with at least 10 contiguous nucleotides of SEQ ID NOS: 2–13 or 14. In another preferred embodiment, the nucleic acid molecule comprises a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NOs: 3–76 or 77.


The invention also provides a pair of oligonucleotide primers wherein at least one primer consists of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NOS: 3–76 or 77. In a preferred embodiment, the pair of oligonucleotide primers comprises:


JB944 (SEQ ID NO:59) and JB943 (SEQ ID NO:58;


JB944 (SEQ ID NO:59) and JB945 (SEQ ID NO:60);


JB934 (SEQ ID NO:49) and JB935 (SEQ ID NO:50); and


JB937 (SEQ ID NO:52) and JB935 (SEQ ID NO:50).


The invention also provides a method for the detection of a fungal pathogen, comprising the steps of:

  • (a) isolating DNA from a plant tissue infected with a pathogen;
  • (b) subjecting said DNA to polymerase chain reaction amplification using at least one primer having sequence identity with at least 10 contiguous nucleotides of a randomly amplified polymorphic DNA sequence of a Tapesia spp.; and
  • (c) detecting said fungal pathogen by visualizing the product or products of said polymerase chain reaction amplification.


    In a preferred embodiment, the fungal pathogen is Tapesia yallundae, Tapesia acuformis. More preferably, the Tapesia yallundae is subtype Ic., and Tapesia acuformis subtypes IIs or IIp. In another preferred embodiment, at least one primer having the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NOS: 3–76 or 77.


The invention further provides a method for the detection of a fungal pathogen, comprising the steps of:

  • (a) isolating DNA from a plant tissue infected with a pathogen;
  • (b) subjecting said DNA to polymerase chain reaction amplification using at least one primer having sequence identity with at least 10 contiguous nucleotides of a randomly amplified polymorphic DNA from a Tapesia spp.; and
  • (c) detecting said fungal pathogen by visualizing the product or products of said polymerase chain reaction amplification.


    In a preferred embodiment, the fungal pathogen is Tapesia yallundae, Tapesia acuformis. More preferably, the Tapesia yallundae is subtype Ic, and Tapesia acuformis subtypes IIs or IIp. In another preferred embodiment, at least one primer having the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NOS: 3–76 or 77. In more preferred embodiment, the pair of primers comprises:


JB944 (SEQ ID NO:59) and JB943 (SEQ ID NO:58;


JB944 (SEQ ID NO:59) and JB945 (SEQ ID NO:60);


JB934 (SEQ ID NO:49) and JB935 (SEQ ID NO:50); or


JB937 (SEQ ID NO:52) and JB935 (SEQ ID NO:50).


The invention also provides a diagnostic kit used in detecting a fungal pathogen comprising at least one primer having at least 10 contiguous nucleotides of a nucleic acid molecule of the nucleic acid molecules described above. In a preferred embodiment, at least one primer comprises SEQ ID NO: 3–76 or 77. In more preferred embodiments, the pair of primers are:


JB944 (SEQ ID NO:59) and JB943 (SEQ ID NO:58;


JB944 (SEQ ID NO:59) and JB945 (SEQ ID NO:60);


JB934 (SEQ ID NO:49) and JB935 (SEQ ID NO:50); or


JB937 (SEQ ID NO:52) and JB935 (SEQ ID NO:50).












Brief Description of the Sequences in the Sequence Listing


















SEQ-ID-NO: 1
M13 Sequencing Forward Primer



SEQ-ID-NO: 2
M13 Sequencing Reverse Primer



SEQ-ID-NO: 3
RAPD-PCR Clone Ib1-27



SEQ-ID-NO: 4
RAPD-PCR Clone Ib2-31



SEQ-ID-NO: 5
RAPD-PCR Clone Ib3-33



SEQ-ID-NO: 6
RAPD-PCR Clone Ic1-22



SEQ-ID-NO: 7
RAPD-PCR Clone Ic 020502Ic4and6



SEQ-ID-NO: 8
RAPD-PCR Clone Ic 020602D-20



SEQ-ID-NO: 9
RAPD-PCR Clone Ic 020602D-21



SEQ-ID-NO: 10
RAPD-PCR Clone IIp1-17



SEQ-ID-NO: 11
RAPD-PCR Clone IIp 020602A-11



SEQ-ID-NO: 12
RAPD-PCR Clone IIp 020602B-15



SEQ-ID-NO: 13
RAPD-PCR Clone IIp 020602B-16



SEQ-ID-NO: 14
RAPD-PCR Clone IIs2-39



SEQ-ID-NO: 15
JB900



SEQ-ID-NO: 16
JB901



SEQ-ID-NO: 17
JB902 Probe



SEQ-ID-NO: 18
JB903



SEQ-ID-NO: 19
JB904



SEQ-ID-NO: 20
JB905



SEQ-ID-NO: 21
JB906



SEQ-ID-NO: 22
JB907



SEQ-ID-NO: 23
JB908



SEQ-ID-NO: 24
JB909



SEQ-ID-NO: 25
J8910



SEQ-ID-NO: 26
1B911



SEQ-ID-NO: 27
JB912 Probe



SEQ-ID-NO: 28
JB913



SEQ-ID-NO: 29
JB914



SEQ-ID-NO: 30
JB915



SEQ-ID-NO: 31
JB916



SEQ-ID-NO: 32
J8917 Probe



SEQ-ID-NO: 33
JB918



SEQ-ID-NO: 34
JB919



SEQ-ID-NO: 35
JB920



SEQ-ID-NO: 36
JB921



SEQ-ID-NO: 37
JB922 Probe



SEQ-ID-NO: 38
JB923



SEQ-ID-NO: 39
JB924



SEQ-ID-NO: 40
JB925



SEQ-ID-NO: 41
JB926



SEQ-ID-NO: 42
JB927 Probe



SEQ-ID-NO: 43
JB928



SEQ-ID-NO: 44
JB929



SEQ-ID-NO: 45
JB930



SEQ-ID-NO: 46
JB931



SEQ-ID-NO: 47
JB932



SEQ-ID-NO: 48
JB933



SEQ-ID-NO: 49
JB934



SEQ-ID-NO: 50
JB935



SEQ-ID-NO: 51
JB936



SEQ-ID-NO: 52
JB937



SEQ-ID-NO: 53
JB938



SEQ-ID-NO: 54
JB939



SEQ-ID-NO: 55
JB940



SEQ-ID-NO: 56
JB941



SEQ-ID-NO: 57
JB942



SEQ-ID-NO: 58
JB943



SEQ-ID-NO: 59
JB944



SEQ-ID-NO: 60
JB945



SEQ-ID-NO: 61
JB946



SEQ-ID-NO: 62
JB947



SEQ-ID-NO: 63
JB948



SEQ-ID-NO: 64
JB949



SEQ-ID-NO: 65
JB950



SEQ-ID-NO: 66
JB951



SEQ-ID-NO: 67
JB952



SEQ-ID-NO: 68
JB953



SEQ-ID-NO: 69
JB954



SEQ-ID-NO: 70
JB955



SEQ-ID-NO: 71
JB956



SEQ-ID-NO: 72
JB957



SEQ-ID-NO: 73
JB958



SEQ-ID-NO: 74
JB959



SEQ-ID-NO: 75
JB960



SEQ-ID-NO: 76
JB961



SEQ-ID-NO: 77
JB962















DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides unique DNA sequences which are useful in identifying different pathotypes of plant pathogenic fungi. Particularly the DNA sequences can be used as primers in PCR based analysis for the identification of fungal pathotypes. The DNA sequences of the invention include products cloned from RAPD primer analysis of particular fungal pathogens as well as primers which are derived from these regions which are capable of identifying the particular pathogen. These DNA sequences from different pathotypes within a pathogen species or genus which vary between the different members of the species or genus based on different fungicides' susceptibility can be used to identify those specific members.


Biomedical researchers have used PCR-based techniques for some time and with moderate success to detect pathogens in infected animal tissues. Only recently, however, has this technique been applied to detect plant pathogens. The presence of Gaumannomyces graminis in infected wheat has been detected using PCR of sequences specific to the pathogen mitochondrial genome (Schlesser et al., 1991; Applied and Environ. Microbiol. 57: 553–556) and random amplified polymorphic DNA (i.e. RAPD) markers were able to distinguish numerous races of Gremmeniella abietina, the causal agent of scleroderris canker in conifers.


The DNA sequences of the invention are from randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) of different plant pathogens. The RAPD sequences from different pathotypes within a pathogen species or genus vary between the different members of the species or genus. Once having determined the unique RAPD sequences of a pathogen, primers can be derived from the sequences. That is, primers can be designed based on regions within the uniquely identified RAPD fragment sequence among the fungal pathotypes. These sequences and primers based on these sequences can be used to identify specific pathogen members.


Particular DNA sequences of interest include uniquely identified RAPD sequences from Tapesia, particularly, Tapesia acuformis and Tapesia yallundae, more particularly for the identification of T. acuformis subtypes IIs and IIp and T. yallundae subtypes Ia, Ib and Ic. Such DNA sequences as well as primers of interest are given in SEQ ID NO: 3–77. The sequences find use in the PCR-based identification of the pathotypes of interest.


Sequences from RAPD analysis of uniquely identified fragments include SEQ-ID-NOs: 3–14. The sequences find use in the PCR-based identification of pathogens of interest. In a preferred embodiment the sequence disclosed as SEQ-ID-NO: 10 is useful in the development of primers for differentiating T. acuformis subtypes IIs and IIp. In another preferred embodiment the sequence disclosed as SEQ-ID-NO: 8 is useful in the development of primers for the detection of T. yallundae subtype Ic.


Sequences from oligonucleotide primers derived from the uniquely identified RAPD analysis fragments are disclosed as SEQ-ID-Nos: 15–77. In a preferred embodiment, the pair of oligonucleotide primers consists of SEQ-ID-NO: 59 and SEQ-ID-NO: 58 is used for the detection of T. yallundae Ic. In another preferred embodiment, the pair of oligonucleotide primers consists of SEQ-ID-NO: 59 and SEQ-ID-NO: 60 is used for the detection of T. yallundae Ic. In yet other embodiments, T. acuformis subtype IIs can be differentiated from T. acuformis subtype IIp using the primer combination consisting of oligonucleotide primers with SEQ-ID-NO: 49 and SEQ-ID-NO: 50 and the primer combination consisting of oligonucleotide primers with SEQ-ID-NO: 52 and SEQ-ID-NO: 50.


The present invention lends itself readily to the preparation of “kits” containing the elements necessary to carry out the process. Such a kit may comprise a carrier being compartmentalized to receive in close confinement therein one or more container means, such as tubes or vials. One of said container means may contain unlabeled or detectably labeled DNA primers. The labeled DNA primers may be present in lyophilized form, or in an appropriate buffer as necessary. One or more container means may contain one or more enzymes or reagents to be utilized in PCR reactions. These enzymes may be present by themselves or in admixtures, in lyophilized form or in appropriate buffers.


Finally, the kit may contain all of the additional elements necessary to carry out the technique of the invention, such as buffers, extraction reagents, enzymes, pipettes, plates, nucleic acids, nucleoside triphosphates, filter paper, gel materials, transfer materials, autoradiography supplies, and the like.


The examples below show, without limitation, typical experimental protocols which can be used in the isolation of unique RAPD sequences, the selection of suitable primer sequences, the testing of primers for selective and diagnostic efficacy, and the use of such primers for disease and fungal isolate detection. Such examples are provided by way of illustration and not by way of limitation.


EXAMPLES

Standard recombinant DNA and molecular cloning techniques used here are well known in the art and are described by J. Sambrook, E. F. Fritsch and T. Maniatis, Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory manual, Cold Spring Harbor laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. (1989) and by T. J. Silhavy, M. L. Berman, and L. W. Enquist, Experiments with Gene Fusions, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. (1984) and by Ausubel, F. M. et al., Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, pub. by Greene Publishing Assoc. and Wiley-Interscience (1987).


Example 1
Fungal Isolates and Genomic Fungal DNA Extraction

See Table 1 for a listing of the fungal isolates used. Isolates for which fungicide sensitivity was characterized were obtained from Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA, Le Rheu, France). Fungi are grown on PDA (Potato Dextrose Agar) plates. Cultures are incubated for up to 10 days at 28° C. Mycelia are ground in liquid nitrogen, and total genomic DNA is extracted using the following modified CTAB protocol.

  • 1. Freeze-dried mycelium was homogenized in 1.5 ml Eppendorf tubes (two tungsten carbide 3 mm beads were added) using a Retsch mill (MM200, Retsch GmbH & Co., Haan, Germany).
  • 2. Add 600 μl extraction buffer (700 mM NaCl, 50 mM Tris HCl, 10 mM EDTA, 1% β-mercapthoethanol, 1% CTAB) and incubate for 1 hr at 65° C., vortexing every 10–20 minute interval.
  • 3. Add 400 μl chlorophorm:isoamylalcohol (24.1, v:v) shake for 15 min
  • 4. Centrifuge for 10 min (16000 g)
  • 5. Transfer the aqueous phase to a new tube and add 400 μl extraction buffer and 400 μl chloroform:isoamylalcohol
  • 6. Shake for 15 min
  • 7. Centrifuge 10 min
  • 8. Transfer aqueous phase to a new tube
  • 9. Add 0.6× volumes of isopropanol
  • 10. Shake for 5 min
  • 11. Centrifuge for 5 min
  • 12. Discard supernatant and dry pellet
  • 13. Wash pellet with cold EtOH 70%
  • 14. Centrifuge 2 min
  • 15. Dry pellet
  • 16. Resuspend in 50 μl TE









TABLE 1







Identification of Test Isolates












Fungal
Fungal
Subtype

Fungicide Sensitivity1
Cyprodinil













Species
Isolate
Identifier
Triadimenol
Prochloraz
Carbendazim
(Unix)






Tapesia yallundae

627 N
Ia
S
S
R
S



Tapesia yallundae

646 N
Ib
R
S
R
S



Tapesia yallundae

572 N
Ic
R
R
R
S



Tapesia yallundae

618 N
Ic
R
R
R
S



Tapesia acuformis

634 L
IIs
R
S
S
S



Tapesia acuformis

643 L
IIs
R
S
S
S



Tapesia acuformis

567 L
IIp
R
R
R
S



Tapesia acuformis

617 L
IIp
R
R
R
S



Tapesia acuformis

626 L
IIp
R
R
R
S






1S = Sensitive,



R = Resistant






Example 2
Amplification of RAPD Products

Polymerase chain reactions are performed to obtain Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) profiles for each of the Tapesia spp. subtypes. Forty different RAPD 10-mer primers from Qiagen Operon (Operon Technologies Inc., Alameda, Calif., USA) kits AA and J identified individually as OPAA-01–OPAA-20 and OPJ-01–OPJ-20 are used in amplifications to find RAPD products specific to subtypes Ic and IIp. A single 10-mer RAPD primer is used in RAPD-PCR reactions. Reactions are prepared using the GeneAmp Kit from Perkin-Elmer (Foster City, Calif.; part no. N808-0009) using 50 mM KCl, 2.0 mM MgCl2, 10 mM Tris-HCl, pH8.3 and containing 100 μM of each dTTP, dATP, dCTP, and dGTP in 25 μL reactions. In each reaction, 25 pmol of RAPD primer is used with 0.5 Units of AmpliTaq Polymerase. Approximately 25 ng of genomic DNA from the subtypes listed in Example 1 are used as template. Reactions are run in a GeneAmp Model 9700 thermal cycler (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, Calif.). Thermal cycling is run for 45 cycles of 30 s at 94° C., 30 s at 34° C., and 60 s at 72° C. and is proceeded by a hold at 94° C. for one minute and followed by a final hold at 72° C. for ten minutes before being stored at 4° C. The products are analyzed by loading 10 μl of each PCR sample with loading buffer on a 1.0% agarose gel and electrophoresing.


The gel is stained with ethidium bromide and separated RAPD-PCR bands are observed under ultraviolet light.


Example 3
Selection, Cloning, and Sequencing of Subtype-Specific RAPD-PCR Products

RAPD-PCR products for each Tapesia spp. subtype are compared. Bands that appear to be specific to a certain subtype are selected for further analysis by DNA sequencing. These bands are cut from the agarose gel by a sterile scalpel. The RAPD-PCR product is purified from the agarose using GenElute Minus EtBr Spin Columns (Product Code 5-6501, Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, Mo., USA). The purified product is cloned into the pCR4-TOPO vector and transformed into One Shot chemically compentent bacterial cells using the TOPO TA Cloning Kit for Sequencing (Invitrogen Corporation, Carlsbad, Calif., USA) under manufacturer's protocol. Transformed cells containing the vector plus RAPD-PCR product insert are identified by endonuclease digestion of minipreped DNA of isolated colonies. Minipreps of vector DNA containing the RAPD-PCR product are sequenced. Sequencing is performed on an ABI PRISM 377™ DNA sequencer (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, Calif.) using primers in the pCR4-TOPO cloning vector: FORWARD (5′-gtaaaacgacggccagt-3′; SEQ ID NO: 1) and REVERSE (5′-caggaaacagctatgac-3′; SEQ ID NO:2). Sequences obtained for each Tapesia spp. subtype are identified in Table 2.









TABLE 2







Tapesia spp. subtype-specific RAPD-PCR product sequences













RAPD-PCR


Sequence

Subtype and
Sequence


Identifier
Fungal Species
Sequence ID
Length





SEQ-ID-NO: 3

Tapesia yallundae

Ib1-27
525


SEQ-ID-NO: 4

Tapesia yallundae

Ib2-31
551


SEQ-ID-NO: 5

Tapesia yallundae

Ib3-33
520


SEQ-ID-NO: 6

Tapesia yallundae

Ic1-22
456


SEQ-ID-NO: 7

Tapesia yallundae

Ic 020502Ic4and6
711


SEQ-ID-NO: 8

Tapesia yallundae

Ic 020602D-20
555


SEQ-ID-NO: 9

Tapesia yallundae

Ic 020602D-21
625


SEQ-ID-NO: 10

Tapesia acuformis

IIp1-17
455


SEQ-ID-NO: 11

Tapesia acuformis

IIp 020602A-11
498


SEQ-ID-NO: 12

Tapesia acuformis

IIp 020602B-15
702


SEQ-ID-NO: 13

Tapesia acuformis

IIp 020602B-16
503


SEQ-ID-NO: 14

Tapesia acuformis

IIs2-39
513









Example 4
Design of Subtype-specific Primers

PCR Primers are designed to amplify within the sequences of RAPD-PCR products obtained according to Example 3. Primers are designed to be used either in conventional PCR reactions or with an oligonucleotide probe in TaqMan PCR reactions. Multiple primers are developed to target each RAPD-PCR Tapesia spp. subtype-specific sequence. These primers are listed in Table 3.










TABLE 3







Tapesia spp. subtype-specific primer sequences














Sequence


Target DNA
RAPD-PCR




Identifier
Name
Species
Subtype Product
Oligo Sequence (5′-3′)





SEQ-ID-NO: 15
JB900

Tapesia yallundae

Ib
Ib1-27/Ib2-31
TGCGGTAGGGCGAAGAAAC






SEQ-ID-NO: 16
JB901

Tapesia yallundae

Ib
Ib1-27/Ib2-31
CATCCTCCACCAACCAATACG





SEQ-ID-NO: 17
JB902 Probe

Tapesia yallundae

Ib
Ib1-27/Ib2-31
AACACCAAAGCGGCTTCGCGAGA





SEQ-ID-NO: 18
JB903

Tapesia yallundae

Ib
Ib1-27/Ib2-31
CAGCCGATTGATCCGGTCTA





SEQ-ID-NO: 19
JB904

Tapesia yallundae

Ib
Ib1-27/Ib2-31
GGCAACGCTGATTCGACTCTA





SEQ-ID-NO: 20
JB905

Tapesia yallundae

Ib
Ib1-27/Ib2-31
GGTTCGATCCCGTCATCCT





SEQ-ID-NO: 21
JB906

Tapesia yallundae

Ib
Ib1-27/Ib2-31
GTCGGTTCGATCCCGTCAT





SEQ-ID-NO: 22
JB907

Tapesia yallundae

Ib
Ib1-27/Ib2-31
CAATACGCTCTGCGGTAGGGCGAA





SEQ-ID-NO: 23
JB908

Tapesia yallundae

Ib
Ib1-27/Ib2-31
GCCGCTTTGGTGTTGGTTT





SEQ-ID-NO: 24
JB909

Tapesia yallundae

Ib
Ib1-27/Ib2-31
CAGCCGATTGATCCGGTCTAT





SEQ-ID-NO: 25
JB910

Tapesia yallundae

Ib
Ib3-33
AATTCGCCCTTGGACCTCTT





SEQ-ID-NO: 26
JB911

Tapesia yallundae

Ib
Ib3-33
TTCGCCCTTGGACCTCTTG





SEQ-ID-NO: 27
JB912 Probe

Tapesia yallundae

Ib
Ib3-33
AGTAACACGCCCCACGGACGGAT





SEQ-ID-NO: 28
JB913

Tapesia yallundae

Ib
Ib3-33
CTGCGGAGTCCTTGCTAGCT





SEQ-ID-NO: 29
JB914

Tapesia yallundae

Ib
Ib3-33
GACCTGCGGAGTCCTTGCT





SEQ-ID-NO: 30
JB915

Tapesia yallundae

Ic
Ic1-22
TTACACTGTATTTGTCTGGTGATTGC





SEQ-ID-NO: 31
JB916

Tapesia yallundae

Ic
Ic1-22
GAGCCTCTCATATCTGGATCTCTAAATC





SEQ-ID-NO: 32
JB917 Probe

Tapesia yallundae

Ic
Ic1-22
TTAACTAGCAGTCATCTGTCCTGTGCCAAGG





SEQ-ID-NO: 33
JB918

Tapesia yallundae

Ic
Ic1-22
GACAAACTCTACCAAGGAGAGACAAAA





SEQ-ID-NO: 34
JB919

Tapesia yallundae

Ic
Ic1-22
CTACCAAGGAGAGACAAAACACAAAA





SEQ-ID-NO: 35
JB920

Tapesia acuformis

IIp
IIp1-17
TCTTGTGAGACTGCATGGACTAGAGT





SEQ-ID-NO: 36
JB921

Tapesia acuformis

IIp
IIp1-17
GATCTTGTGAGACTGCATGGACTAG





SEQ-ID-NO: 37
JB922 Probe

Tapesia acuformis

IIp
IIp1-17
CATGCGAGAATTAAAGAGCTATAGTTGCGTGC





SEQ-ID-NO: 38
JB923

Tapesia acuformis

IIp
IIp1-17
CGCAATCCTTTCTCGACTTCTAA





SEQ-ID-NO: 39
JB924

Tapesia acuformis

IIp
IIp1-17
GTTTCGCAATCCTTTCTCGACTT





SEQ-ID-NO: 40
JB925

Tapesia acuformis

IIs
IIs2-39
GCAGAATTCGCCCTTAAGTCG





SEQ-ID-NO: 41
JB926

Tapesia acuformis

IIs
IIs2-39
TCTGCAGAATTCGCCCTTAAG





SEQ-ID-NO: 42
JB927 Probe

Tapesia acuformis

IIs
IIs2-39
AAGGTAGCCGTATCGGAAGGTGCGG





SEQ-ID-NO: 43
JB928

Tapesia acuformis

IIs
IIs2-39
CCAGAACGGAGGTGATCCAG





SEQ-ID-NO: 44
JB929

Tapesia acuformis

IIs
IIs2-39
TTCCAGAACGGAGGTGATCC





SEQ-ID-NO: 45
JB930

Tapesia yallundae

Ic
Ic1-22
ATATTCTTGCTGAATTGGTC





SEQ-ID-NO: 46
JB931

Tapesia yallundae

Ic
Ic1-22
CAAAATTATTTCATCCTTGGCACAG





SEQ-ID-NO: 47
JB932

Tapesia yallundae

Ic
Ic1-22
AAATTATTTCATCCTTGGCACAGG





SEQ-ID-NO: 48
JB933

Tapesia yallundae

Ic
Ic1-22
ATATTCTTGCTGAATTGGTC





SEQ-ID-NO: 49
JB934

Tapesia acuformis

IIp
IIp1-17
AGATGGGCAGAGTGTAGATCTTGTG





SEQ-ID-NO: 50
JB935

Tapesia acuformis

IIp
IIp1-17
GGAACCGAGAGAGTAGCAACAGAAC





SEQ-ID-NO: 51
JB936

Tapesia acuformis

IIp
IIp1-17
CAGGAACCGAGAGAGTAGCAACAG





SEQ-ID-NO: 52
JB937

Tapesia acuformis

IIp
IIp1-17
GCGTTCGGCTTGAAGTCATG





SEQ-ID-NO: 53
JB938

Tapesia acuformis

Ic
0205021c4and6
CCTTTGGTCGGGTGGGAGAA





SEQ-ID-NO: 54
JB939

Tapesia acuformis

Ic
0205021c4and6
GCCAGGCTGAATCTTGGGAA





SEQ-ID-NO: 55
JB940

Tapesia acuformis

Ic
0205021c4and6
CCAGGCTGAATCTTGGGAAA





SEQ-ID-NO: 56
JB941

Tapesia acuformis

Ic
0205021c4and6
CCAAGTACGCATCTCGGATG





SEQ-ID-NO: 57
JB942

Tapesia acuformis

Ic
020602D-20
GAAGTGTTTACTCTTTGCCG





SEQ-ID-NO: 58
JB943

Tapesia acuformis

Ic
020602D-20
AATATTGGTTCTTGATCCTG





SEQ-ID-NO: 59
JB944

Tapesia acuformis

Ic
020602D-20
TCGAGACAATAGAGATTTTC





SEQ-ID-NO: 60
JB945

Tapesia acuformis

Ic
020602D-20
GTGTGTCATTTTGGAAGATT





SEQ-ID-NO: 61
JB946

Tapesia acuformis

Ic
020602D-21
ACATACCATCTTGTAAATAGCC





SEQ-ID-NO: 62
JB947

Tapesia acuformis

Ic
020602D-21
CATAGTCAATCCAAGCTTTC





SEQ-ID-NO: 63
JB948

Tapesia acuformis

Ic
020602D-21
ATACCATCTTGTAAATAGCC





SEQ-ID-NO: 64
JB949

Tapesia acuformis

Ic
020602D-21
TATGCTTCTGGTCTTTGTTT





SEQ-ID-NO: 65
JB950

Tapesia yallundae

IIp
020602A-11
AATCAATGTCATGCGGTTCG





SEQ-ID-NO: 66
JB951

Tapesia yallundae

IIp
020602A-11
CACTTCCACGGCAGTGATAA





SEQ-ID-NO: 67
JB952

Tapesia yallundae

IIp
020602A-11
TTGTCTCTTGGGTAATCATG





SEQ-ID-NO: 68
JB953

Tapesia yallundae

IIp
020602A-11
GTGCCAAAAGGAACTGATTG





SEQ-ID-NO: 69
JB954

Tapesia yallundae

IIp
020602B-16
TGAGATTCCGGACTGCATTT





SEQ-ID-NO: 70
JB955

Tapesia yallundae

IIp
020602B-16
CAAACTGAGATTTCTCAACG





SEQ-ID-NO: 71
JB956

Tapesia yallundae

IIp
020602B-15
CCTTACCCGACCTGCCATGT





SEQ-ID-NO: 72
JB957

Tapesia yallundae

IIp
020602B-15
CTGGCGGCCATATCGACTTC





SEQ-ID-NO: 73
JB958

Tapesia yallundae

IIp
020602B-15
ATTAGCAACTGGAATGCACA





SEQ-ID-NO: 74
JB959

Tapesia yallundae

IIp
020602B-15
AAGCCAGCTGCATGATGTTC





SEQ-ID-NO: 75
JB960

Tapesia yallundae

IIp
020602B-16
CGCCCTAGCACATCATCAAA





SEQ-ID-NO: 76
JB961

Tapesia yallundae

IIp
020602B-16
CCTAGCACATCATCAAAAGA





SEQ-ID-NO: 77
JB962

Tapesia yallundae

IIp
020602B-16
GGAGCATGGAAGCACTCGTA









Example 5
Synthesis and Purification of Oligonucleotides

Oligonucleotides (primers) are synthesized by, for example, either Integrated DNA Technologies (Coralville, Iowa) or Midland Certified Reagent Company (Midland, Tex.). Primer sequences labeled as “probe” are synthesized with a fluorescent reporter group attached at the 5′ end for example 6-carboxy-fluorescein or “FAM” and a fluorescence quenching group attached at the 3′ end for example 6-carboxy-tetramethul-rhodamine or “TAMRA” or for example a dark quencher such as the proprietary Black Hole Quencher or “BHQ™” from Biosearch Technologies (Novato, Calif.).


Example 6
Polymerase Chain Reaction Amplification

Polymerase chain reactions are performed with the GeneAmp Kit from Perkin-Elmer (Foster City, Calif.; part no. N808-0009) using 50 mM KCl, 2.5 mM MgCl2, 10 mM Tris-HCl, pH8.3, containing 200 μM of each dTTP, dATP, dCTP, and dGTP in 25 μL reactions containing 50 μM each primer, 0.25 U/μL of Taq polymerase and approximately 25 ng of genomic DNA per reaction. Reactions are run for 30–35 cycles of 15 s at 94° C., 15 s at 50° C.–70° C., and 45 s at 72° C. in a Perkin-Elmer Model 9600 or 9700 thermal cycler. The products are analyzed by loading 10 μl of each PCR sample on a 1.0% agarose gel and electrophoresing. The gel is stained with ethidium bromide and products are visualized under ultraviolet light.


Example 7
Determination of Primer Specificity to Purified Fungal Genomic DNA

PCRs are performed according to Example 6 using different primer combinations (Table 4) in an attempt to amplify single specific fragments. Specific PCR amplification products are produced from primers designed from RAPD-PCR product sequences of each Tapesia spp. subtype.









TABLE 4







Possible combinations of PCR primers for the specific


amplification of Tapesia spp. subtypes Ic and IIp











Target species subtype

Sequence

Sequence


(RAPD-PCR Product)
Primer 1
Identifier
Primer 2
Identifier






Tapesia yallundae Ib (Ib1-27/Ib2-31)

JB900
SEQ-ID-NO: 15
JB903
SEQ-ID-NO: 18



Tapesia yallundae Ib (Ib1-27/Ib2-31)

JB900
SEQ-ID-NO: 15
JB904
SEQ-ID-NO: 19



Tapesia yallundae Ib (Ib1-27/Ib2-31)

JB901
SEQ-ID-NO: 16
JB903
SEQ-ID-NO: 18



Tapesia yallundae Ib (Ib1-27/Ib2-31)

JB901
SEQ-ID-NO: 16
JB904
SEQ-ID-NO: 19



Tapesia yallundae Ib (Ib1-27/Ib2-31)

JB905
SEQ-ID-NO: 20
JB908
SEQ-ID-NO: 23



Tapesia yallundae Ib (Ib1-27/Ib2-31)

JB905
SEQ-ID-NO: 20
JB909
SEQ-ID-NO: 24



Tapesia yallundae Ib (Ib1-27/Ib2-31)

JB906
SEQ-ID-NO: 21
JB908
SEQ-ID-NO: 23



Tapesia yallundae Ib (Ib1-27/Ib2-31)

JB906
SEQ-ID-NO: 21
JB909
SEQ-ID-NO: 24



Tapesia yallundae Ib (Ib3-33)

JB910
SEQ-ID-NO: 25
JB913
SEQ-ID-NO: 28



Tapesia yallundae Ib (Ib3-33)

JB910
SEQ-ID-NO: 25
JB914
SEQ-ID-NO: 29



Tapesia yallundae Ib (Ib3-33)

JB911
SEQ-ID-NO: 26
JB913
SEQ-ID-NO: 28



Tapesia yallundae Ib (Ib3-33)

JB911
SEQ-ID-NO: 26
JB914
SEQ-ID-NO: 29



Tapesia yallundae Ic (1c1-22)

JB915
SEQ-ID-NO: 30
JB918
SEQ-ID-NO: 33



Tapesia yallundae Ic (1c1-22)

JB915
SEQ-ID-NO: 30
JB919
SEQ-ID-NO: 34



Tapesia yallundae Ic (1c1-22)

JB916
SEQ-ID-NO: 31
JB918
SEQ-ID-NO: 33



Tapesia yallundae Ic (1c1-22)

JB916
SEQ-ID-NO: 31
JB919
SEQ-ID-NO: 34



Tapesia yallundae Ic (1c1-22)

JB920
SEQ-ID-NO: 35
JB923
SEQ-ID-NO: 38



Tapesia yallundae Ic (Ic1-22)

JB920
SEQ-ID-NO: 35
JB924
SEQ-ID-NO: 39



Tapesia yallundae Ic (1c1-22)

JB921
SEQ-ID-NO: 36
JB923
SEQ-ID-NO: 38



Tapesia yallundae Ic (1c1-22)

JB921
SEQ-ID-NO: 36
JB924
SEQ-ID-NO: 39



Tapesia acuformis IIs (IIs2-39)

JB925
SEQ-ID-NO: 40
JB928
SEQ-ID-NO: 43



Tapesia acuformis IIs (IIs2-39)

J8925
SEQ-ID-NO: 40
JB929
SEQ-ID-NO: 44



Tapesia acuformis IIs (IIs2-39)

JB926
SEQ-ID-NO: 41
JB928
SEQ-ID-NO: 43



Tapesia acuformis IIs (IIs2-39)

JB926
SEQ-ID-NO: 41
JB929
SEQ-ID-NO: 44



Tapesia yallundae Ic (Ic1-22)

JB930
SEQ-ID-NO: 45
JB931
SEQ-ID-NO: 46



Tapesia yallundae Ic (Ic1-22)

JB930
SEQ-ID-NO: 45
JB932
SEQ-ID-NO: 47



Tapesia yallundae Ic (Ic1-22)

JB933
SEQ-ID-NO: 48
JB931
SEQ-ID-NO: 46



Tapesia yallundae Ic (Ic1-22)

JB933
SEQ-ID-NO: 48
JB932
SEQ-ID-NO: 47



Tapesia acuformis IIs/IIp (IIp1–17)

JB934
SEQ-ID-NO: 49
JB935
SEQ-ID-NO: 50



Tapesia acuformis IIp (IIp1–17)

JB934
SEQ-ID-NO: 49
JB936
SEQ-ID-NO: 51



Tapesia acuformis IIs/IIp (IIp1–17)

JB937
SEQ-ID-NO: 52
JB935
SEQ-ID-NO: 50



Tapesia acuformis IIp (IIp1–17)

JB937
SEQ-ID-NO: 52
JB936
SEQ-ID-NO: 51



Tapesia yallundae Ic (0205021c4and6)

JB938
SEQ-ID-NO: 53
JB939
SEQ-ID-NO: 54



Tapesia yallundae Ic (0205021c4and6)

JB938
SEQ-ID-NO: 53
JB940
SEQ-ID-NO: 55



Tapesia yallundae Ic (0205021c4and6)

JB941
SEQ-ID-NO: 56
JB939
SEQ-ID-NO: 54



Tapesia yallundae Ic (0205021c4and6)

JB941
SEQ-ID-NO: 56
JB940
SEQ-ID-NO: 55



Tapesia yallundae Ic (020602D-20)

JB942
SEQ-ID-NO: 57
JB943
SEQ-ID-NO: 58



Tapesia yallundae Ic (020602D-20)

JB942
SEQ-ID-NO: 57
JB945
SEQ-ID-NO: 60



Tapesia yallundae Ic (020602D-20)

JB944
SEQ-ID-NO: 59
JB943
SEQ-ID-NO: 58



Tapesia yallundae Ic (020602D-20)

JB944
SEQ-ID-NO: 59
JB945
SEQ-ID-NO: 60



Tapesia yallundae Ic (020602D-21)

JB946
SEQ-ID-NO: 61
JB947
SEQ-ID-NO: 62



Tapesia yallundae Ic (020602D-21)

JB946
SEQ-ID-NO: 61
JB949
SEQ-ID-NO: 64



Tapesia yallundae Ic (020602D-21)

JB948
SEQ-ID-NO: 63
JB947
SEQ-ID-NO: 62



Tapesia yallundae Ic (020602D-21)

JB948
SEQ-ID-NO: 63
JB949
SEQ-ID-NO: 64



Tapesia acuformis IIp (020602A-11)

JB952
SEQ-ID-NO: 67
JB950
SEQ-ID-NO: 65



Tapesia acuformis IIp (020602A-11)

JB952
SEQ-ID-NO: 67
JB951
SEQ-ID-NO: 66



Tapesia acuformis IIp (020602A-11)

JB953
SEQ-ID-NO: 68
JB950
SEQ-ID-NO: 65



Tapesia acuformis IIp (020602A-11)

JB953
SEQ-ID-NO: 68
JB9SI
SEQ-ID-NO: 66



Tapesia acuformis IIp (020602B-16)

JB954
SEQ-ID-NO: 69
JB955
SEQ-ID-NO: 70



Tapesia acuformis IIp (020602B-16)

JB954
SEQ-ID-NO: 69
JB960
SEQ-ID-NO: 75



Tapesia acuformis IIp (020602B-16)

JB954
SEQ-ID-NO: 69
JB961
SEQ-ID-NO: 76



Tapesia acuformis IIp (020602B-16)

JB962
SEQ-ID-NO: 77
JB955
SEQ-ID-NO: 70



Tapesia acuformis IIp (020602B-16)

JB962
SEQ-ID-NO: 77
JB960
SEQ-ID-NO: 75



Tapesia acuformis IIp (020602B-16)

JB962
SEQ-ID-NO: 77
JB961
SEQ-ID-NO: 76



Tapesia acuformis IIp (020602B-15)

JB956
SEQ-ID-NO: 71
JB957
SEQ-ID-NO: 72



Tapesia acuformis IIp (020602B-15)

JB956
SEQ-ID-NO: 71
JB959
SEQ-ID-NO: 74



Tapesia acuformis IIp (020602B-15)

JB958
SEQ-ID-NO: 73
JB957
SEQ-ID-NO: 72



Tapesia acuformis IIp (020602B-15)

JB958
SEQ-ID-NO: 73
JB959
SEQ-ID-NO: 74









In an initial screen for specificity, PCR reaction mixtures are made according to Example 6 for each of the primer combinations in Table 4. These are run against a negative control (no DNA added) and approximately 25 ng of fungal DNA for each of the Tapesia spp. subtypes listed in Table 1 prepared as described in example 1.


When visualized on an ethidium bromide stained gel several primer pairs give satisfactory results: good amplification of target DNA from multiple isolates of the target species subtype with all other reactions (negative control and other fungal DNAs) free of both specific and nonspecific reaction products. Some give unsatisfactory results including nonspecific amplification, no amplification of target DNA, and amplification of DNAs from fungal species other that the target. The primer pairs that give good specific amplification for T. yallundae subtype Ic target DNA with no cross-amplification are summarized in Table 5.









TABLE 5







PCR primer pairs providing specific and sensitive amplification


of target DNAs for Tapesia yallundae subtype Ic.











Target species subtype

Sequence

Sequence


(RAPD-PCR Product)
Primer 1
Identifier
Primer 2
Identifier






Tapesia yallundae Ic (020602D-20)

JB944
SEQ-ID-NO: 59
JB943
SEQ-ID-NO: 58



Tapesia yallundae Ic (020602D-20)

JB944
SEQ-ID-NO: 59
JB945
SEQ-ID-NO: 60










When primers JB944 and JB943 or primers JB944 and JB945 are run against DNA preparations of the eyespot subtypes listed in Table 1 the following results are recorded (Table 6).









TABLE 6







Results of primer pairs JB944 and JB943 and JB944


and JB945 on test isolates of Tapesia spp.










Fungal
Fungal
Subtype
PCR Results (+/−)











Species
Isolate
Identifier
JB944/JB943
JB944/JB945















Tapesia yallundae

627 N
Ia





Tapesia yallundae

646 N
Ib





Tapesia yallundae

572 N
Ic
+
+



Tapesia yallundae

618 N
Ic
+
+



Tapesia acuformis

634 L
Iis





Tapesia acuformis

643 L
Iis





Tapesia acuformis

567 L
Iip





Tapesia acuformis

617 L
Iip





Tapesia acuformis

626 L
Iip












Thus, primer pairs JB944 and JB943 and primers JB944 and JB945 are useful in the differentiation of subtypes within the Tapesia yallundae species.


For specificity to T. acuformis subtypes IIs and IIp primer pairs were selected that amplify from both T. acuformis subtypes but with different sized PCR products that allow differentiation of the subtype by product size. Again, primers were selected based on good amplification of target DNA from multiple isolates of the target species subtype with all other reactions (negative control and other fungal DNAs) free of both specific and nonspecific reaction products. Some give unsatisfactory results including nonspecific amplification, no amplification of target DNA, and amplification of DNAs from fungal species other that the target. The primer pairs that give good specific amplification for T. acuformis subtypes IIs and IIp with different sized products for each subtype with no cross-amplification are summarized in Table 7.









TABLE 7







PCR primer pairs providing specific and sensitive amplification of target DNAs


for Tapesia acuformis subtypes IIs and IIp.











Target species subtype

Sequence

Sequence


(RAPD-PCR Product)
Primer 1
Identifier
Primer 2
Identifier






Tapesia acuformis IIs/IIp (IIp1–17)

JB934
SEQ-ID-NO: 49
JB935
SEQ-ID-NO: 50



Tapesia acuformis IIs/IIp (IIp1–17)

JB937
SEQ-ID-NO: 52
JB935
SEQ-ID-NO: 50










Primers JB934 and JB935 are run against DNA preparations of the eyespot subtypes listed in Table 1. The results are presented in Table 8).









TABLE 8







Results of primer pairs JB934 and JB935 on


test isolates of Tapesia spp.













PCR Results (+/−)











Fungal
Fungal
Subtype

Amplification


Species
Isolate
Identifier
(+/−)
Product Size






Tapesia yallundae

627 N
Ia





Tapesia yallundae

646 N
Ib





Tapesia yallundae

572 N
Ic





Tapesia yallundae

618 N
Ic





Tapesia acuformis

634 L
IIs
+
~600



Tapesia acuformis

643 L
IIs
+
~600



Tapesia acuformis

567 L
IIp
+
~400



Tapesia acuformis

617 L
IIp
+
~400



Tapesia acuformis

626 L
IIp
+
~400










Thus, primer pairs JB934 and JB935 are specific to Tapesia acuformis at the species level and provide differently sized PCR products that are useful in the differentiation of IIs and IIp subtypes within the Tapesia acuformis species.


Example 8
TaqMan Based Detection of Tapesia spp. Subtypes

Some of the primers detailed in Table in 3 were designed for the additional possible use in TaqMan reactions for detection of specific Tapesia spp. subtypes. Possible primer combinations for these reactions are listed in Table 9.









TABLE 9







Possible combinations of TaqMan primers and probes for the specific


amplification of Tapesia spp. subtypes













Target species subtype

Sequence

Sequence

Sequence


(RAPD-PCR Product)
Primer 1
Identifier
Probe
Identifier
Primer 2
Identifier






Tapesia yallundae Ib (Ib1–27/Ib2–31)

JB900
SEQ-ID-NO: 15
JB902
SEQ-ID-NO: 17
JB903
SEQ-ID-NO: 18



Tapesia yallundae Ib (Ib1–27/Ib2–31)

JB900
SEQ-ID-NO: 15
JB902
SEQ-ID-NO: 17
JB904
SEQ-ID-NO: 19



Tapesia yallundae Ib (Ib1–27/Ib2–31)

JB901
SEQ-ID-NO: 16
JB902
SEQ-ID-NO: 17
JB903
SEQ-ID-NO: 18



Tapesia yallundae Ib (Ib1–27/Ib2–31)

JB901
SEQ-ID-NO: 16
JB902
SEQ-ID-NO: 17
JB904
SEQ-ID-NO: 19



Tapesia yallundae Ib (Ib1–27/Ib2–31)

JB905
SEQ-ID-NO: 20
JB907
SEQ-ID-NO: 22
JB908
SEQ-ID-NO: 23



Tapesia yallundae Ib (Ib1–27/Ib2–31)

JB905
SEQ-ID-NO: 20
JB907
SEQ-ID-NO: 22
JB909
SEQ-ID-NO: 24



Tapesia yallundae Ib (Ib1–27/Ib2–31)

JB906
SEQ-ID-NO: 21
JB907
SEQ-ID-NO: 22
JB908
SEQ-ID-NO: 23



Tapesia yallundae Ib (Ib1–27/Ib2–31)

JB906
SEQ-ID-NO: 21
JB907
SEQ-ID-NO: 22
JB909
SEQ-ID-NO: 24



Tapesia yallundae Ib (Ib3–33)

JB910
SEQ-ID-NO: 25
JB912
SEQ-ID-NO: 27
JB913
SEQ-ID-NO: 28



Tapesia yallundae Ib (Ib3–33)

JB910
SEQ-ID-NO: 25
JB912
SEQ-ID-NO: 27
JB914
SEQ-ID-NO: 29



Tapesia yallundae Ib (Ib3–33)

JB911
SEQ-ID-NO: 26
JB912
SEQ-ID-NO: 27
JB913
SEQ-ID-NO: 28



Tapesia yallundae Ib (Ib3–33)

JB911
SEQ-ID-NO: 26
JB912
SEQ-ID-NO: 27
JB914
SEQ-ID-NO: 29



Tapesia yallundae Ic (lc1–22)

JB915
SEQ-ID-NO: 30
JB917
SEQ-ID-NO: 32
JB918
SEQ-ID-NO: 33



Tapesia yallundae Ic (lc1–22)

JB915
SEQ-ID-NO: 30
JB917
SEQ-ID-NO: 32
JB919
SEQ-ID-NO: 34



Tapesia yallundae Ic (lc1–22)

JB916
SEQ-ID-NO: 31
JB917
SEQ-ID-NO: 32
JB918
SEQ-ID-NO: 33



Tapesia yallundae Ic (lc1–22)

JB916
SEQ-ID-NO: 31
JB917
SEQ-ID-NO: 32
JB919
SEQ-ID-NO: 34



Tapesia yallundae Ic (lc1–22)

JB920
SEQ-ID-NO: 35
JB922
SEQ-ID-NO: 37
JB923
SEQ-ID-NO: 38



Tapesia yallundae Ic (lc1–22)

JB920
SEQ-ID-NO: 35
JB922
SEQ-ID-NO: 37
JB924
SEQ-ID-NO: 39



Tapesia yallundae Ic (lc1–22)

JB921
SEQ-ID-NO: 36
JB922
SEQ-ID-NO: 37
JB923
SEQ-ID-NO: 38



Tapesia yallundae Ic (lc1–22)

JB921
SEQ-ID-NO: 36
JB922
SEQ-ID-NO: 37
JB924
SEQ-ID-NO: 39



Tapesia acuformis IIs (IIs2–39)

JB925
SEQ-ID-NO: 40
JB927
SEQ-ID-NO: 42
JB928
SEQ-ID-NO: 43



Tapesia acuformis IIs (IIs2–39)

JB925
SEQ-ID-NO: 40
JB927
SEQ-ID-NO: 42
JB929
SEQ-ID-NO: 44



Tapesia acuformis IIs (IIs2–39)

JB926
SEQ-ID-NO: 41
JB927
SEQ-ID-NO: 42
JB928
SEQ-ID-NO: 43



Tapesia acuformis IIs (IIs2–39)

JB926
SEQ-ID-NO: 41
JB927
SEQ-ID-NO: 42
JB929
SEQ-ID-NO: 44









The combinations listed in Table 7 are tested in initial TaqMan™ screens for subtype level specificity. Primer and probe combinations are tested for their ability to amplify from the target subtypes's DNA. Reaction conditions are held constant (1× TaqMan™ Universal Master Mix (Perkin Elmer, Norwalk, Conn.; part no. N430-4447), 300 nM each primer, 200 nM probe, approximately 25 ng pre reaction of fungal target genomic DNA, thermal cycling: 50° C. for 2 min., 95° C. for 10 min., 40 cycles of 95° C. for 15 s, 60° C. for 60 s). In initial screens for specificity under these conditions no primer/probe combination provides absolute specificity. It is prophetic that further experimentation with reaction conditions will provide subtype specific tests using these primers that are designed for specificity.


This invention also provides the possibility of assessing potential damage in a specific crop variety-pathogen strain relationship and of utilizing judiciously the diverse armory of fungicides which is available. Furthermore, it can be used to provide detailed information on the development and spread of specific pathogen races over extended geographical areas.


Kits useful in the practice of the invention are also provided. The kits find particular use in the identification of Tapesia pathogens.


While the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated that numerous variations, modifications, and further embodiments are possible, and accordingly, all such variations, modifications and embodiments are to be regarded as being within the scope of the present invention.


Numerous patents, applications and references are discussed or cited within this specification, and all are incorporated by reference in their entireties.

Claims
  • 1. An isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 8.
  • 2. A pair of oligonucleotide primers wherein at least one primer consists of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 58 or SEQ ID NO: 59.
  • 3. A pair of oligonucleotide primers comprising: JB944 (SEQ ID NO: 59) and JB943 (SEQ ID NO: 58).
  • 4. A method for the detection of a fungal pathogen, comprising the steps of: (a) isolating DNA from a plant tissue infected with a pathogen;(b) subjecting said DNA to polymerase chain reaction amplification using at least one primer that comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 58 or SEQ ID NO:59 and(c) detecting said fungal pathogen by visualizing the product or products of said polymerase chain reaction amplification.
  • 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the fungal pathogen is Tapesia yallundae, Tapesia acuformis.
  • 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the Tapesia yallundae is subtype Ic., Tapesia acuformis subtypes IIs or IIp.
  • 7. A diagnostic kit used in detecting a fungal pathogen having at least one primer that comprises SEQ ID NO: 58 or SEQ ID NO: 59.
  • 8. The diagnostic kit of claim 7, wherein the pair of primers are JB944 (SEQ ID NO: 59) and JB943 (SEQ ID NO: 58).
Parent Case Info

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/369,796 filed Apr. 3, 2002, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

US Referenced Citations (10)
Number Name Date Kind
5585238 Ligon et al. Dec 1996 A
5800997 Beck Sep 1998 A
5827695 Beck Oct 1998 A
6221595 Beck et al. Apr 2001 B1
6319673 Beck et al. Nov 2001 B1
6358680 Beck Mar 2002 B1
6485907 Beck et al. Nov 2002 B1
6599701 Honeycutt et al. Jul 2003 B1
6645720 Barnett et al. Nov 2003 B1
6733972 Barnett et al. May 2004 B1
Related Publications (1)
Number Date Country
20030194735 A1 Oct 2003 US
Provisional Applications (1)
Number Date Country
60369796 Apr 2002 US