Comparative Genomics of Multiple Strains of <i>Pseudomonas cannabina</i> pv. <i>alisalensis</i>, a Potential Model Pathogen of Both Monocots and Dicots Panagiotis F. Sarris Emmanouil A. Trantas David A. Baltrus Carolee T. Bull William Patrick Wechter Shuangchun Yan Filippos Ververidis Nalvo F. Almeida Corbin D. Jones Jeffery L. Dangl Nickolas J. Panopoulos Boris A. Vinatzer Dimitrios E. Goumas 10.1371/journal.pone.0059366 https://plos.figshare.com/articles/dataset/Comparative_Genomics_of_Multiple_Strains_of_Pseudomonas_cannabina_pv_alisalensis_a_Potential_Model_Pathogen_of_Both_Monocots_and_Dicots/662335 <div><p>Comparative genomics of closely related pathogens that differ in host range can provide insights into mechanisms of host-pathogen interactions and host adaptation. Furthermore, sequencing of multiple strains with the same host range reveals information concerning pathogen diversity and the molecular basis of virulence. Here we present a comparative analysis of draft genome sequences for four strains of <i>Pseudomonas cannabina</i> pathovar <i>alisalensis</i> (<i>Pcal</i>), which is pathogenic on a range of monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous plants. These draft genome sequences provide a foundation for understanding host range evolution across the monocot-dicot divide. Like other phytopathogenic pseudomonads, <i>Pcal</i> strains harboured a <i>hrp/hrc</i> gene cluster that codes for a type III secretion system. Phylogenetic analysis based on the <i>hrp/hrc</i> cluster genes/proteins, suggests localized recombination and functional divergence within the <i>hrp/hrc</i> cluster. Despite significant conservation of overall genetic content across <i>Pcal</i> genomes, comparison of type III effector repertoires reinforced previous molecular data suggesting the existence of two distinct lineages within this pathovar. Furthermore, all <i>Pcal</i> strains analyzed harbored two distinct genomic islands predicted to code for type VI secretion systems (T6SSs). While one of these systems was orthologous to known <i>P. syringae</i> T6SSs, the other more closely resembled a T6SS found within <i>P. aeruginosa</i>. In summary, our study provides a foundation to unravel <i>Pcal</i> adaptation to both monocot and dicot hosts and provides genetic insights into the mechanisms underlying pathogenicity.</p> </div> 2013-03-29 12:56:45 comparative genomics strains pathogen monocots dicots