Phytoplasma: A plant pathogen that cannot be ignored in agricultural production—Research progress and outlook

Wang, Ruotong; Bai, Bixin; Li, Danyang; Wang, Jingke; Huang, Weijie; Wu, Yunfeng; Zhao, Lei

doi:10.1111/mpp.13437

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

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“…Phytoplasmas are wall-less bacterial plant pathogens provisionally classified to the 'Candidatus Phytoplasma' genus [1,2]; they are mainly transmitted by insect vectors and inhabit the phloem of plants and the hemolymphs of insects. After colonization, phytoplasmas secrete effector proteins into cytoplasm of the host plant cells.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These effectors interact with certain target proteins in the plant cell, manipulate several host metabolic pathways inducing a series of disease symptoms that includes witches' broom (shoot proliferation), phyllody (leafy flower) and virescence, leaf yellowing and decline, stunted and little leaf, white leaf, purple top and other malformations. Some of the symptoms, such as witches' broom and phyllody, increase the prevalence of short branches and small young leaves, enhancing attraction of insect vectors and thus benefit the spread of phytoplasmas [1,2].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Paulownia Witches’ Broom Disease: A Comprehensive Review

Zhang,

Qiao,

et al. 2024

Microorganisms

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Phytoplasmas are insect-transmitted bacterial pathogens associated with diseases in a wide range of host plants, resulting in significant economic and ecological losses. Perennial deciduous trees in the genus Paulownia are widely planted for wood harvesting and ornamental purposes. Paulownia witches’ broom (PaWB) disease, associated with a 16SrI-D subgroup phytoplasma, is a destructive disease of paulownia in East Asia. The PaWB phytoplasmas are mainly transmitted by insect vectors in the Pentatomidae (stink bugs), Miridae (mirid bugs) and Cicadellidae (leafhoppers) families. Diseased trees show typical symptoms, such as branch and shoot proliferation, which together are referred to as witches’ broom. The phytoplasma presence affects the physiological and anatomical structures of paulownia. Gene expression in paulownia responding to phytoplasma presence have been studied at the transcriptional, post-transcriptional, translational and post-translational levels by high throughput sequencing techniques. A PaWB pathogenic mechanism frame diagram on molecular level is summarized. Studies on the interactions among the phytoplasma, the insect vectors and the plant host, including the mechanisms underlying how paulownia effectors modify processes of gene expression, will lead to a deeper understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms and to the development of efficient control measures.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Paulownia Witches’ Broom Disease: A Comprehensive Review

Zhang,

Qiao,

et al. 2024

Microorganisms

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Phytoplasma Targeting of MADS-Box Factor SVP Suppresses Leaf Responses to Insect Vector Males, Promoting Female Attraction and Colonization

Orlovskis,

Singh,

Kliot

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Obligate parasites often trigger significant changes in their hosts to facilitate transmission to new hosts. The molecular mechanisms behind these hyper-extended phenotypes - where genetic information of the parasite modulates the biology of one host to facilitate transmission through another host - remain largely unclear. This study explores the role of the virulence protein SAP54, produced by parasitic phytoplasmas, in attracting leafhopper vectors. SAP54 is responsible for the induction of leaf-like flowers in phytoplasma-infected plants. However, we previously demonstrated that leaves are responsible for this attraction instead of leaf-like flowers. Here we made the surprising discovery that SAP54 enhances the colonization of plants by leafhopper females predominantly in the presence of leafhopper males, suggesting a sex-specific mechanism. In contrast, the presence of SAP54 alongside leafhopper females discourages further female colonization. We demonstrate that SAP54 effectively suppresses biotic stress response pathways in leaves exposed to the males. Critically, the host plant MADS-box transcription factor SHORT VEGETATIVE PHASE (SVP) emerges as a key element in the female leafhopper preference for plants exposed to males, with SAP54 promoting the degradation of SVP. This preference extends to female colonization of male-exposed svp null mutant plants over those not exposed to males. Our research underscores the dual role of the phytoplasma effector SAP54 in host development alteration and vector attraction - integral to the phytoplasma life cycle. Importantly, we clarify how SAP54, by targeting SVP, heightens leaf vulnerability to leafhopper males, thus facilitating female attraction and subsequent plant colonization by the insects. This study not only provides insights into the long reach of single parasite genes in extended phenotypes, but also opens avenues for understanding how transcription factors that regulate plant developmental processes intersect with and influence plant-insect interactions.

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Phytoplasma: A plant pathogen that cannot be ignored in agricultural production—Research progress and outlook

Cited by 2 publications

References 194 publications

Paulownia Witches’ Broom Disease: A Comprehensive Review

Paulownia Witches’ Broom Disease: A Comprehensive Review

Phytoplasma Targeting of MADS-Box Factor SVP Suppresses Leaf Responses to Insect Vector Males, Promoting Female Attraction and Colonization

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