Metabolomic analysis reveals the potential metabolites and pathogenesis involved in mulberry yellow dwarf disease

Abstract

To analyse the molecular mechanisms of phytoplasma pathogenicity, the comprehensive metabolomic changes of mulberry leaf and phloem sap in response to phytoplasma infection were examined using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The metabolic profiles obtained revealed that the metabolite compositions of leaf and phloem sap were different, and phytoplasma infection has a greater impact on the metabolome of phloem sap than of leaf. Phytoplasma infection brought about the content changes in various metabolites, such as carbohydrates, amino acids, organic acids, etc. Meanwhile, the results of biochemical analysis showed that the degradation of starch was repressed, and the starch content was increased in the infected leaves. In addition, we found that phytoplasma infection changed the levels of abscisic acid and cytokinin and break phytohormone balance. Interestingly, our data showed that the contents of H2O2 and superoxide were increased in the infected leaves, but not in the phloem saps. Based on the results, the expression levels of the genes involved in the metabolism of some changed metabolites were examined, and the potential molecular mechanisms of these changes were discussed. It can be concluded that both the leaf and phloem saps have a complicated metabolic response to phytoplasma infection, but their response mechanisms were different.

Comparative Analysis of MicroRNA Expression in Three Paulownia Species with Phytoplasma Infection

“…Most of these researches have indicated that photosynthesis is arrested in PaWBinfected seedlings, which is similar to what was reported in other phytoplasma-infected plants [58,59]. In our previous transcriptome research, we identified genes that were differentially expressed in photosystem I and photosystem II, and were associated with decreased photosynthesis [18,19,55].…”

“…Changes in plant architecture, such as dwarfism, have been observed in many plants and are mostly caused by hormonal imbalances [58,68]. MiRNAs play important roles in hormone medicated morphology development [69].…”

Metabolic Profiling of Phloem Exudates as a Tool to Improve Bread-Wheat Cultivars

“…As a consequence, N metabolism in the shoot dictates the rate of NO 3 uptake [1]. The concentration of the majority of the amino acids in phloem exudates is proportional to the concentration in the leaves [7], if no pathogens are involved [8].…”

“…The concentration of the majority of the amino acids in phloem exudates is proportional to the concentration in the leaves [7], if no pathogens are involved [8]. Grain filling is mainly dependent on remobilisation from the flag leaf and the adjacent leaf.…”

“…Agronomy 2018, 8,45 Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest. The founding sponsors had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to publish the results.…”