Potential complications when developing gene deletion clones in Xylella fastidiosa

摘要

Background The Gram-negative xylem-limited bacterium, Xylella fastidiosa , is an important plant pathogen that infects a number of high value crops. The Temecula 1 strain infects grapevines and induces Pierce′s disease, which causes symptoms such as scorching on leaves, cluster collapse, and eventual plant death. In order to understand the pathogenesis of X. fastidiosa , researchers routinely perform gene deletion studies and select mutants via antibiotic markers.