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A comparison of the nucleotide sequence of the cerato-ulmin gene and the rDNA ITS between aggressive and non-aggressive isolates ofOphiostoma ulmi sensu lato, the causal agent of Dutch elm disease

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Abstract

Little genetic information exists comparing aggressive and non-aggressive isolates of the causal agent of Dutch elm disease,Ophiostoma ulmi. Two genetic elements were compared between the subgroups. The ceratoulmincu gene product has been associated with disease symptoms. Nucleotide-sequence analysis ofcu and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the rDNA were made from three aggressive and three non-aggressive isolates of the pathogen. Our results suggested uniformity within, and unique differences between, subgroups. Differences were detected forcu in the promoter, coding, and transcription termination regions. Sequence data for the ITS clearly distinguish the subgroups.

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Communicated by O. C. Yoder

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Jeng, R., Hintz, W.E., Bowden, C.G. et al. A comparison of the nucleotide sequence of the cerato-ulmin gene and the rDNA ITS between aggressive and non-aggressive isolates ofOphiostoma ulmi sensu lato, the causal agent of Dutch elm disease. Curr Genet 29, 168–173 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02221581

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