Open AccessSoft rot erwiniae: from genes to genomes
Author(s) -
Toth Ian K.,
Bell Kenneth S.,
Holeva Maria C.,
Birch Paul R. J.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
molecular plant pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.945
H-Index - 103
eISSN - 1364-3703
pISSN - 1464-6722
DOI - 10.1046/j.1364-3703.2003.00149.x
Subject(s) - erwinia , biology , host (biology) , enterobacteriaceae , pectobacterium , bacteria , microbiology and biotechnology , botany , pathogen , escherichia coli , gene , genetics
SUMMARY The soft rot erwiniae, Erwinia carotovora ssp. atroseptica (Eca), E. carotovora ssp. carotovora (Ecc) and E. chrysanthemi (Ech) are major bacterial pathogens of potato and other crops world-wide. We currently understand much about how these bacteria attack plants and protect themselves against plant defences. However, the processes underlying the establishment of infection, differences in host range and their ability to survive when not causing disease, largely remain a mystery. This review will focus on our current knowledge of pathogenesis in these organisms and discuss how modern genomic approaches, including complete genome sequencing of Eca and Ech, may open the door to a new understanding of the potential subtlety and complexity of soft rot erwiniae and their interactions with plants.