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<p>The repeat region within the <i>rodZ</i> gene of <i>Erwinia amylovora</i> has previously been reported as a variable number tandem repeat (VNTR). However, a more thorough bioinformatic analysis indicates that this feature is unlikely to have arisen through a slipped-strand mispairing mechanism only, suggesting a functional role for the observed genetic variation. Structural predictions revealed that the repeat region lies within an unresolved segment of the RodZ cytoskeleton protein, which plays a central role in membrane organization and maintaining rod shape in bacteria. Variation in repeat copy number was observed among <i>E. amylovora</i> strains, but not in other Enterobacteriaceae. Comparative analysis of available <i>E. amylovora</i> genome sequences identified 21 distinct alleles, with the highest diversity detected within the B- and R- phylogenetic groups. The observed variability is driven by insertions, deletions, and true VNTR amplification events. PCR and sequencing of 251 isolates confirmed the presence of a unique genotype restricted to the Volga-Don region of Central Russia. These findings demonstrate not only that the <i>rodZ</i> repeat region serves as a valuable marker for genotyping <i>E. amylovora</i> isolates but also hint to a possible ongoing evolutionary pressure on the locus.</p>

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The rodZ repeat region of Erwinia amylovora: genetic diversity and possible functional implications

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年8月5日

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  • Nataliya V. Drenova,
  • Alexandr N. Ignatov,
  • Fabio Rezzonico,
  • Galina N. Bondarenko,
  • Denis L. Belkin,
  • Maxim O. Kondratyev,
  • Fevzi S-U. Dzhalilov,
  • Theo H. M. Smits

摘要

The repeat region within the rodZ gene of Erwinia amylovora has previously been reported as a variable number tandem repeat (VNTR). However, a more thorough bioinformatic analysis indicates that this feature is unlikely to have arisen through a slipped-strand mispairing mechanism only, suggesting a functional role for the observed genetic variation. Structural predictions revealed that the repeat region lies within an unresolved segment of the RodZ cytoskeleton protein, which plays a central role in membrane organization and maintaining rod shape in bacteria. Variation in repeat copy number was observed among E. amylovora strains, but not in other Enterobacteriaceae. Comparative analysis of available E. amylovora genome sequences identified 21 distinct alleles, with the highest diversity detected within the B- and R- phylogenetic groups. The observed variability is driven by insertions, deletions, and true VNTR amplification events. PCR and sequencing of 251 isolates confirmed the presence of a unique genotype restricted to the Volga-Don region of Central Russia. These findings demonstrate not only that the rodZ repeat region serves as a valuable marker for genotyping E. amylovora isolates but also hint to a possible ongoing evolutionary pressure on the locus.