Differential accumulation ofPhytophthora cambivora coxII gene transcripts in infected chestnut tissue

What is it about?

This study provides a novel qRT-PCR protocol for specific detection and proof of viability of Phytophthora in environmental samples based on differential accumulation of cox II transcripts. In vivo experiments confirmed the ability of glucose to induce the accumulation of P. cambivora cox II transcripts. Pretreatment of environmental samples with glucose prior to nucleic acid extraction increased the accumulation of specific cox II transcripts, and therefore the sensitivity of qRT-PCR assay for detection of P. cambivora in living tissues. Furthermore, differential accumulation of transcripts between treated and untreated samples represents an unequivocal proof of inoculum viability.

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Why is it important?

This is the first example of plant pathogen molecular detection protocol joining detection and proof of vitality of the pathogen. The protocol can be used as template for the development of additional ones for different pathogens