Title
Use of ligase chain reaction for enhanced
detection of Phytophthora infestans
Abstract
Sequences of the internal transcribed spacer region 2 (ITS 2) of ribosomal DNA from 10 different species of
Phytophthora were aligned, and regions of dissimilarity were used to construct ligase chain reaction (LCR) primers for
detecting the late blight pathogen, Phytophthora infestans. Ligase chain reaction primers allow differentiation of species
down to a single base pair difference. The primers have greater specificity than previously described polymerase chain
reaction (PCR) primers and allow differentiation of P. infestans, Phytophthora mirabilis, and Phytophthora phaseoli,
which contain identical ITS sequences, from many other Phytophthora species. Ligase chain reaction was coupled with
PCR to increase sensitivity of P. infestans detection and can serve as an enhancement to existing PCR protocols. By
labeling LCR primers with biotin and digoxigenin, the LCR was combined with an ELISA-based detection system to
improve sensitivity and ease of application
Authors
P.W. Tooley, E. Hatziloukas, D.L. Scott, and M.M. Carras
Journal
Canadian Journal of Plant Pathology, 2002 : 24(0), 294~301
