An Improved Reference Gene for Detection of "Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus" Associated with Citrus Huanglongbing by qPCR and Digital Droplet PCR Assays.

ABSTRACT: Citrus huanglongbing (HLB) disease associated with the 'Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus' (CLas) bacterium has caused significant financial damage to many citrus industries. Large-scale pathogen surveys are routinely conducted in California to detect CLas early in the disease cycle by lab-based qPCR assays. We have developed an improved reference gene for the sensitive detection of CLas from plants in diagnostic duplex qPCR and analytical digital droplet PCR (ddPCR) assays. The mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase gene (COX), widely used as a reference, is not ideal because its high copy number can inhibit amplification of small quantities of target genes. In ddPCRs, oversaturation of droplets complicates data normalization and quantification. The variable copy numbers of COX gene in metaboli

SUBMITTER: Keremane ML 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8540500 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature