Differentiation of Strains in the Aster Yellows Mycoplasmalike Organism Strain Cluster by Serological Assay with Monoclonal Antibodies

Abstract

Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) raised against the tomato big bud (BB) mycoplasmalike organism (MLO), a member of the aster yellows (AY) MLO strain cluster, were employed in dot immunobinding assays. The MAbs reacted only with strains in the AY MLO cluster, and not with any of several other MLOs not affiliated with the AY MLO strain cluster. However, reactions with MLOs in the AY cluster varied by strain. All MAbs reacted with BB and several MLO strains previously termed «aster yellows,» including NAY (eastern AY), OKAY1 (Oklahoma strain), NJAY (New Jersey strain), and AY27 (Alberta strain); but none of the MAbs reacted with certain other strains of AY MLO, including strains termed SAYS (western AY), OKAYS (Oklahoma strain), NYAY (New York strain), and MNAY (Minnesota strain)