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Toth R, Ilic AM, Huettel B, Duduk B, Kube M. Divergence within the Taxon ' Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris' Confirmed by Comparative Genome Analysis of Carrot Strains. Microorganisms 2024; 12:1016. [PMID: 38792845 PMCID: PMC11123874 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12051016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Phytoplasmas are linked to diseases in hundreds of economically important crops, including carrots. In carrots, phytoplasmosis is associated with leaf chlorosis and necrosis, coupled with inhibited root system development, ultimately leading to significant economic losses. During a field study conducted in Baden-Württemberg (Germany), two strains of the provisional taxon 'Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris' were identified within a carrot plot. For further analysis, strains M8 and M33 underwent shotgun sequencing, utilising single-molecule-real-time (SMRT) long-read sequencing and sequencing-by-synthesis (SBS) paired-end short-read sequencing techniques. Hybrid assemblies resulted in complete de novo assemblies of two genomes harboring circular chromosomes and two plasmids. Analyses, including average nucleotide identity and sequence comparisons of established marker genes, confirmed the phylogenetic divergence of 'Ca. P. asteris' and a different assignment of strains to the 16S rRNA subgroup I-A for M33 and I-B for M8. These groups exhibited unique features, encompassing virulence factors and genes, associated with the mobilome. In contrast, pan-genome analysis revealed a highly conserved gene set related to metabolism across these strains. This analysis of the Aster Yellows (AY) group reaffirms the perception of phytoplasmas as bacteria that have undergone extensive genome reduction during their co-evolution with the host and an increase of genome size by mobilome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Toth
- Department of Integrative Infection Biology Crops-Livestock, University of Hohenheim, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany; (R.T.); (A.-M.I.)
| | - Anna-Marie Ilic
- Department of Integrative Infection Biology Crops-Livestock, University of Hohenheim, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany; (R.T.); (A.-M.I.)
| | | | - Bojan Duduk
- Institute of Pesticides and Environmental Protection, 11080 Belgrade, Serbia;
| | - Michael Kube
- Department of Integrative Infection Biology Crops-Livestock, University of Hohenheim, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany; (R.T.); (A.-M.I.)
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2
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Liu CY, Cheng HP, Lin CP, Liao YT, Ko TP, Lin SJ, Lin SS, Wang HC. Structural insights into the molecular mechanism of phytoplasma immunodominant membrane protein. IUCRJ 2024; 11:384-394. [PMID: 38656311 PMCID: PMC11067747 DOI: 10.1107/s2052252524003075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Immunodominant membrane protein (IMP) is a prevalent membrane protein in phytoplasma and has been confirmed to be an F-actin-binding protein. However, the intricate molecular mechanisms that govern the function of IMP require further elucidation. In this study, the X-ray crystallographic structure of IMP was determined and insights into its interaction with plant actin are provided. A comparative analysis with other proteins demonstrates that IMP shares structural homology with talin rod domain-containing protein 1 (TLNRD1), which also functions as an F-actin-binding protein. Subsequent molecular-docking studies of IMP and F-actin reveal that they possess complementary surfaces, suggesting a stable interaction. The low potential energy and high confidence score of the IMP-F-actin binding model indicate stable binding. Additionally, by employing immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry, it was discovered that IMP serves as an interaction partner for the phytoplasmal effector causing phyllody 1 (PHYL1). It was then shown that both IMP and PHYL1 are highly expressed in the S2 stage of peanut witches' broom phytoplasma-infected Catharanthus roseus. The association between IMP and PHYL1 is substantiated through in vivo immunoprecipitation, an in vitro cross-linking assay and molecular-docking analysis. Collectively, these findings expand the current understanding of IMP interactions and enhance the comprehension of the interaction of IMP with plant F-actin. They also unveil a novel interaction pathway that may influence phytoplasma pathogenicity and host plant responses related to PHYL1. This discovery could pave the way for the development of new strategies to overcome phytoplasma-related plant diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang-Yi Liu
- The PhD Program for Translational Medicine, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University and Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Translational Medicine, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Han-Pin Cheng
- Institute of Biotechnology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chan-Pin Lin
- Institute of Biotechnology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ting Liao
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Ping Ko
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shin-Jen Lin
- International Center for the Scientific Development of Shrimp Aquaculture, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Shun Lin
- Institute of Biotechnology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Agricultural Biotechnology Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Center of Biotechnology, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hao-Ching Wang
- The PhD Program for Translational Medicine, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University and Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Translational Medicine, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
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Wang Z, Yang X, Zhou S, Zhang X, Zhu Y, Chen B, Huang X, Yang X, Zhou G, Zhang T. The Antigenic Membrane Protein (Amp) of Rice Orange Leaf Phytoplasma Suppresses Host Defenses and Is Involved in Pathogenicity. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054494. [PMID: 36901925 PMCID: PMC10003417 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2023] [Revised: 02/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Phytoplasmas are uncultivable, phloem-limited, phytopathogenic bacteria that represent a major threat to agriculture worldwide. Phytoplasma membrane proteins are in direct contact with hosts and presumably play a crucial role in phytoplasma spread within the plant as well as by the insect vector. Three highly abundant types of immunodominant membrane proteins (IDP) have been identified within the phytoplasmas: immunodominant membrane protein (Imp), immunodominant membrane protein A (IdpA), and antigenic membrane protein (Amp). Although recent results indicate that Amp is involved in host specificity by interacting with host proteins such as actin, little is known about the pathogenicity of IDP in plants. In this study, we identified an antigenic membrane protein (Amp) of rice orange leaf phytoplasma (ROLP), which interacts with the actin of its vector. In addition, we generated Amp-transgenic lines of rice and expressed Amp in tobacco leaves by the potato virus X (PVX) expression system. Our results showed that the Amp of ROLP can induce the accumulation of ROLP and PVX in rice and tobacco plants, respectively. Although several studies have reported interactions between major phytoplasma antigenic membrane protein (Amp) and insect vector proteins, this example demonstrates that Amp protein can not only interact with the actin protein of its insect vector but can also directly inhibit host defense responses to promote the infection. The function of ROLP Amp provides new insights into the phytoplasma-host interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyi Wang
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, College of Plant Protection, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Xiaorong Yang
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, College of Plant Protection, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Siqi Zhou
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, College of Plant Protection, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Xishan Zhang
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, College of Plant Protection, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Yingzhi Zhu
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, College of Plant Protection, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- College of Marine and Biotechnology, Guangxi Minzu University, Nanning 530008, China
| | - Biao Chen
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, College of Plant Protection, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Xiuqin Huang
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, College of Plant Protection, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Xin Yang
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, College of Plant Protection, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Guohui Zhou
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, College of Plant Protection, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Correspondence: (G.Z.); (T.Z.)
| | - Tong Zhang
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, College of Plant Protection, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Correspondence: (G.Z.); (T.Z.)
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Chiu YC, Liao PQ, Mejia HM, Lee YC, Chen YK, Yang JY. Detection, Identification and Molecular Characterization of the 16SrII-V Subgroup Phytoplasma Strain Associated with Pisum sativum and Parthenium hysterophorus L. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:891. [PMID: 36840237 PMCID: PMC9962045 DOI: 10.3390/plants12040891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Two unrelated plant species, green pea and parthenium weed, harboring typical phytoplasma symptoms, were discovered in Yunlin, Taiwan. Green pea (Pisum sativum.) and parthenium weed (Parthenium hysterophorus L.) are both herbaceous annual plants belonging to the Fabaceae and Asteraceae families, respectively. Displayed symptoms were witches' broom, phyllody and virescence, which are typical indications of phytoplasma infection. Pleomorphic phytoplasma-like bodies were observed under the transmission electron microscope in the sieve elements of symptomatic green pea and parthenium weed. The iPhyClassifier-based virtual RFLP study demonstrated that the phytoplasma associated with the diseased plants belongs to the 16SrII-V subgroup. The disease symptoms of both plants can be explained by the identification of PHYL1 and SAP11 effectors, identical to those of peanut witches' broom phytoplasma. The phytoplasma strains identified in this study present a very close phylogenetic relationship with other 16SrII-V subgroup phytoplasma strains discovered in Taiwan. These results not only convey the local status of the 16SrII-V subgroup phytoplasma strains but also encourage attention to be given to preventing the spread of this threat before it becomes pervasive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Ching Chiu
- Institute of Biochemistry, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
- PhD Program in Microbial Genomics, National Chung Hsing University and Academia Sinica, Taichung 402, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Qing Liao
- Institute of Biochemistry, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
| | - Helen Mae Mejia
- Institute of Biochemistry, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Chien Lee
- Institute of Biochemistry, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
| | - Yuh-Kun Chen
- Department of Plant Pathology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
| | - Jun-Yi Yang
- Institute of Biochemistry, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
- PhD Program in Microbial Genomics, National Chung Hsing University and Academia Sinica, Taichung 402, Taiwan
- Institute of Biotechnology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
- Advanced Plant Biotechnology Center, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
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5
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Identification of the Actin-Binding Region and Binding to Host Plant Apple Actin of Immunodominant Transmembrane Protein of ' Candidatus Phytoplasma mali'. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24020968. [PMID: 36674483 PMCID: PMC9860668 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24020968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
'Candidatus Phytoplasma mali' ('Ca. P. mali') has only one major membrane protein, the immunodominant membrane protein (Imp), which is regarded as being close to the ancestor of all phytoplasma immunodominant membrane proteins. Imp binds to actin and possibly facilitates its movement in the plant or insect host cells. However, protein sequences of Imp are quite diverse among phytoplasma species, thus resulting in difficulties in identifying conserved domains across species. In this work, we compare Imp protein sequences of 'Ca. P. mali' strain PM19 (Imp-PM19) with Imp of different strains of 'Ca. P. mali' and identify its actin-binding domain. Moreover, we show that Imp binds to the actin of apple (Malus x domestica), which is the host plant of 'Ca. P. mali'. Using molecular and scanning force spectroscopy analysis, we find that the actin-binding domain of Imp-PM19 contains a highly positively charged amino acid cluster. Our result could allow investigating a possible correlation between Imp variants and the infectivity of the corresponding 'Ca. P. mali' isolates.
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Mejia HM, Liao PQ, Chen YK, Lee YC, Tan CM, Chiu YC, Yang JY. Detection, Identification, and Molecular Characterization of the 16SrII-V Subgroup Phytoplasma Strain Associated with Digera muricata in Taiwan. PLANT DISEASE 2022; 106:1788-1792. [PMID: 35072504 DOI: 10.1094/pdis-12-21-2647-sc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Digera muricata (L.) Mart. is a pantropical annual herb belonging to the Amaranthaceae family. In August 2021, D. muricata with indicative phytoplasma symptoms of phyllody, witches'-broom, and virescence was discovered adjacent to a peanut field in Mailiao, Yunlin, Taiwan. The causal agent of the observed symptoms was detected and identified by a series of molecular characterizations. Sieve elements of the phloem tissue were perused under the transmission electron microscope and revealed the presence of pleomorphic phytoplasma-like organisms. Nested PCR using phytoplasma universal primer pairs P1/P7 and R16F2n/R16R2 was able to amplify a 1.2-kb DNA fragment for the 16S rRNA gene only from the symptomatic D. muricata. The 16S rRNA-based phylogenetic analysis and the iPhyClassifier-based virtual RFLP further affirmed that the phytoplasma associated with the diseased D. muricata can be classified into the 16SrII-V subgroup. Moreover, displayed evident symptoms were explained by the concomitant detection of PHYL1 and SAP11, the virulence genes responsible for the development of leaf-like flowers and shoot proliferation, respectively. Although phytoplasma infection on the noncrop species does not have a direct economic impact, its role in disease spread and perpetuation is indubitable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen Mae Mejia
- Institute of Biochemistry, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Qing Liao
- Institute of Biochemistry, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
| | - Yuh-Kun Chen
- Department of Plant Pathology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Chien Lee
- Institute of Biochemistry, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
| | - Choon Meng Tan
- Institute of Biochemistry, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ching Chiu
- Institute of Biochemistry, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
- Doctoral Program in Microbial Genomics, National Chung Hsing University and Academia Sinica, Taichung 402, Taiwan
| | - Jun-Yi Yang
- Institute of Biochemistry, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
- Doctoral Program in Microbial Genomics, National Chung Hsing University and Academia Sinica, Taichung 402, Taiwan
- Institute of Biotechnology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
- Advanced Plant Biotechnology Center, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
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7
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Liao PQ, Chen YK, Mejia HM, Chien YY, Lee YC, Tan CM, Chiu YC, Yang JY. Detection, Identification, and Molecular Characterization of a 16SrII-V Subgroup Phytoplasma Associated with Nicotiana plumbaginifolia. PLANT DISEASE 2022; 106:805-809. [PMID: 34763517 DOI: 10.1094/pdis-09-21-1968-sc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Nicotiana plumbaginifolia Viviani, commonly known as curl-leaved tobacco, is an annual herbaceous plant belonging to Solanaceae family. This plant is native to Mexico, South America, and parts of the Caribbean and has been reported to be present in Taiwan since 2006. In March 2021, N. plumbaginifolia Viviani, found in Yunlin County, Taiwan, was observed to have phyllody, virescence, and witches'-broom, which is consistent with the disease symptoms caused by phytoplasma infection. Samples of the healthy and symptomatic plants were collected for analysis of the causal agent associated with the diseased N. plumbaginifolia Viviani. Under transmission electron microscopy, the phytoplasma-like pleomorphic bodies were found in the sieve tubes of the diseased plants. The 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA)-based phylogenetic analysis and the iPhyClassifier-based virtual restriction fragment length polymorphism study demonstrated that the phytoplasma identified in this study can be classified into the 16SrII-V subgroup, which is similar to the peanut witches'-broom phytoplasma, a 'Candidatus phytoplasma aurantifolia'-related strain. Further identification of SAP54/PHYL1 and SAP11 homologs in the phytoplasma explain the disease symptoms of phyllody, virescence, and witches'-broom observed in diseased N. plumbaginifolia Viviani. The discovery of new phytoplasma plant hosts has gained scientific importance in light of the attempt to unravel an efficient strategy to fight the rapid spread of this disease, which poses a threat to the agricultural sector and food security in Taiwan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Qing Liao
- Institute of Biochemistry, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
| | - Yuh-Kun Chen
- Department of Plant Pathology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
| | - Helen Mae Mejia
- Institute of Biochemistry, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
| | - Yuan-Yu Chien
- Institute of Biochemistry, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Chien Lee
- Institute of Biochemistry, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
| | - Choon-Meng Tan
- Institute of Biochemistry, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ching Chiu
- Institute of Biochemistry, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
- Ph.D. Program in Microbial Genomics, National Chung Hsing University and Academia Sinica, Taichung 402, Taiwan
| | - Jun-Yi Yang
- Institute of Biochemistry, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
- Ph.D. Program in Microbial Genomics, National Chung Hsing University and Academia Sinica, Taichung 402, Taiwan
- Institute of Biotechnology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
- Advanced Plant Biotechnology Center, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
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8
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Tan CM, Lin YC, Li JR, Chien YY, Wang CJ, Chou L, Wang CW, Chiu YC, Kuo CH, Yang JY. Accelerating Complete Phytoplasma Genome Assembly by Immunoprecipitation-Based Enrichment and MinION-Based DNA Sequencing for Comparative Analyses. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:766221. [PMID: 34858377 PMCID: PMC8632452 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.766221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Phytoplasmas are uncultivated plant-pathogenic bacteria with agricultural importance. Those belonging to the 16SrII group, represented by 'Candidatus P. aurantifolia', have a wide range of plant hosts and cause significant yield losses in valuable crops, such as pear, sweet potato, peanut, and soybean. In this study, a method that combines immunoprecipitation-based enrichment and MinION long-read DNA sequencing was developed to solve the challenge of phytoplasma genome studies. This approach produced long reads with high mapping rates and high genomic coverage that can be combined with Illumina reads to produce complete genome assemblies with high accuracy. We applied this method to strain NCHU2014 and determined its complete genome sequence, which consists of one circular chromosome with 635,584 bp and one plasmid with 4,224 bp. Although 'Ca. P. aurantifolia' NCHU2014 has a small chromosome with only 471 protein-coding genes, it contains 33 transporter genes and 27 putative effector genes, which may contribute to obtaining nutrients from hosts and manipulating host developments for their survival and multiplication. Two effectors, the homologs of SAP11 and SAP54/PHYL1 identified in 'Ca. P. aurantifolia' NCHU2014, have the biochemical activities in destabilizing host transcription factors, which can explain the disease symptoms observed in infected plants. Taken together, this study provides the first complete genome available for the 16SrII phytoplasmas and contributes to the understanding of phytoplasma pathogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Choon Meng Tan
- Institute of Biochemistry, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chen Lin
- Institute of Plant and Microbial Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jian-Rong Li
- Institute of Genomics and Bioinformatics, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Yuan-Yu Chien
- Institute of Biochemistry, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Jui Wang
- Institute of Biochemistry, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Lin Chou
- Institute of Plant and Microbial Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Wei Wang
- Institute of Biochemistry, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ching Chiu
- Institute of Biochemistry, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan.,Ph.D. Program in Microbial Genomics, National Chung Hsing University and Academia Sinica, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Horng Kuo
- Institute of Plant and Microbial Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.,Ph.D. Program in Microbial Genomics, National Chung Hsing University and Academia Sinica, Taichung, Taiwan.,Institute of Biotechnology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Jun-Yi Yang
- Institute of Biochemistry, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan.,Ph.D. Program in Microbial Genomics, National Chung Hsing University and Academia Sinica, Taichung, Taiwan.,Institute of Biotechnology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan.,Advanced Plant Biotechnology Center, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
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9
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Chen YM, Chien YY, Chen YK, Liao PQ, Tan CM, Chiu YC, Tai CF, Yang JY. Identification of 16SrII-V Phytoplasma Associated with Mungbean Phyllody Disease in Taiwan. PLANT DISEASE 2021; 105:2290-2294. [PMID: 33591832 DOI: 10.1094/pdis-12-20-2683-sc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek), an important legume crop in Asia, is primarily cultivated in the central-southern region of western Taiwan. In 2020, mungbean exhibiting typical phytoplasma-induced disease symptoms such as witches' broom, phyllody, virescence, and proliferation was observed in Yunlin County, Taiwan. Moreover, the seed harvested from diseased plants displayed premature germination. Transmission electron microscopy examination of leaf veins prepared from symptomatic mungbean demonstrated that the occlusion of sieve tubes resulted from the accumulation of phytoplasma-like bodies in sieve elements along with filament-like structures in sieve pores. The association of phytoplasma in symptomatic mungbean was confirmed by PCR analyses of the 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and immunodominant membrane protein genes. Further analyses of the 16S rRNA-based phylogenetic tree and the iPhyClassifier-based virtual restriction fragment length polymorphism study demonstrated that the phytoplasma-associated mungbean phyllody disease identified in this study belongs to the 16SrII-V subgroup. BLAST analysis and the phylogenetic analysis indicated that the SAP11-like protein identified in mungbean phyllody disease is identical to peanut witches' broom phytoplasma SAP11, which explains the witches' broom phenotype observed in symptomatic mungbean. The results described in this report confirm that the 16SrII-V phytoplasma, a widely distributed phytoplasma associated with peanut witches' broom disease in Taiwan, has also infected mungbean. This is not only the first instance of mungbean phyllody disease found in Taiwan but also the first instance of mungbean phyllody disease caused by 16SrII-V subgroup phytoplasma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yen-Ming Chen
- Department of Horticulture, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
| | - Yuan-Yu Chien
- Institute of Biochemistry, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
| | - Yuh-Kun Chen
- Department of Plant Pathology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Qing Liao
- Institute of Biochemistry, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
| | - Choon-Meng Tan
- Institute of Biochemistry, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ching Chiu
- Institute of Biochemistry, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
| | - Chao-Feng Tai
- Division of Pesticide Application, Taiwan Agricultural Chemicals and Toxic Substances Research Institute, Taichung 413, Taiwan
| | - Jun-Yi Yang
- Institute of Biochemistry, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
- Advanced Plant Biotechnology Center, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
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10
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Interactions between the flavescence dorée phytoplasma and its insect vector indicate lectin-type adhesion mediated by the adhesin VmpA. Sci Rep 2021; 11:11222. [PMID: 34045641 PMCID: PMC8160148 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-90809-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The flavescence dorée phytoplasma undergoes a propagative cycle in its insect vectors by first interacting with the insect cell surfaces, primarily in the midgut lumen and subsequently in the salivary glands. Adhesion of flavescence dorée phytoplasma to insect cells is mediated by the adhesin VmpA. We hypothesize that VmpA may have lectin-like activity, similar to several adhesins of bacteria that invade the insect gut. We first demonstrated that the luminal surface of the midgut and the basal surface of the salivary gland cells of the natural vector Scaphoideus titanus and those of the experimental vector Euscelidius variegatus were differentially glycosylated. Using ELISA, inhibition and competitive adhesion assays, and protein overlay assays in the Euva-6 insect cell line, we showed that the protein VmpA binds insect proteins in a lectin-like manner. In conclusion, the results of this study indicate that N-acetylglucosamine and mannose present on the surfaces of the midgut and salivary glands serve as recognition sites for the phytoplasma adhesin VmpA.
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Garcion C, Béven L, Foissac X. Comparison of Current Methods for Signal Peptide Prediction in Phytoplasmas. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:661524. [PMID: 33841387 PMCID: PMC8026896 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.661524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Although phytoplasma studies are still hampered by the lack of axenic cultivation methods, the availability of genome sequences allowed dramatic advances in the characterization of the virulence mechanisms deployed by phytoplasmas, and highlighted the detection of signal peptides as a crucial step to identify effectors secreted by phytoplasmas. However, various signal peptide prediction methods have been used to mine phytoplasma genomes, and no general evaluation of these methods is available so far for phytoplasma sequences. In this work, we compared the prediction performance of SignalP versions 3.0, 4.0, 4.1, 5.0 and Phobius on several sequence datasets originating from all deposited phytoplasma sequences. SignalP 4.1 with specific parameters showed the most exhaustive and consistent prediction ability. However, the configuration of SignalP 4.1 for increased sensitivity induced a much higher rate of false positives on transmembrane domains located at N-terminus. Moreover, sensitive signal peptide predictions could similarly be achieved by the transmembrane domain prediction ability of TMHMM and Phobius, due to the relatedness between signal peptides and transmembrane regions. Beyond the results presented herein, the datasets assembled in this study form a valuable benchmark to compare and evaluate signal peptide predictors in a field where experimental evidence of secretion is scarce. Additionally, this study illustrates the utility of comparative genomics to strengthen confidence in bioinformatic predictions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christophe Garcion
- INRAE, Univ. Bordeaux, Biologie du Fruit et Pathologie, UMR 1332, Villenave d'Ornon, France
| | - Laure Béven
- INRAE, Univ. Bordeaux, Biologie du Fruit et Pathologie, UMR 1332, Villenave d'Ornon, France
| | - Xavier Foissac
- INRAE, Univ. Bordeaux, Biologie du Fruit et Pathologie, UMR 1332, Villenave d'Ornon, France
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12
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Zhao Y, Wei W, Davis RE, Lee IM, Bottner-Parker KD. The agent associated with blue dwarf disease in wheat represents a new phytoplasma taxon, ' Candidatus Phytoplasma tritici'. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2021; 71. [PMID: 33464199 DOI: 10.1099/ijsem.0.004604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Wheat blue dwarf (WBD) is one of the most economically damaging cereal crop diseases in northwestern PR China. The agent associated with the WBD disease is a phytoplasma affiliated with the aster yellows (AY) group, subgroup C (16SrI-C). Since phytoplasma strains within the AY group are ecologically and genetically diverse, it has been conceived that the AY phytoplasma group may consist of more than one species. This communication presents evidence to demonstrate that, while each of the two 16 rRNA genes of the WBD phytoplasma shares >97.5 % sequence similarity with that of the 'Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris' reference strain, the WBD phytoplasma clearly represents an ecologically separated lineage: the WBD phytoplasma not only has its unique transmitting vector (Psammotettix striatus) but also elicits a distinctive symptom in its predominant plant host (wheat). In addition, the WBD phytoplasma possesses molecular characteristics that further manifest its significant divergence from 'Ca. P. asteris'. Such molecular characteristics include lineage-specific antigenic membrane proteins and a lower than 95 % genome-wide average nucleotide identity score with 'Ca. P. asteris'. These ecological, molecular and genomic evidences justify the recognition of the WBD phytoplasma as a novel taxon, 'Candidatus Phytoplasma tritici'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Zhao
- Molecular Plant Pathology Laboratory, USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - Wei Wei
- Molecular Plant Pathology Laboratory, USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - Robert E Davis
- Molecular Plant Pathology Laboratory, USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - Ing-Ming Lee
- Molecular Plant Pathology Laboratory, USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - Kristi D Bottner-Parker
- Molecular Plant Pathology Laboratory, USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
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13
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Weil T, Ometto L, Esteve-Codina A, Gómez-Garrido J, Oppedisano T, Lotti C, Dabad M, Alioto T, Vrhovsek U, Hogenhout S, Anfora G. Linking omics and ecology to dissect interactions between the apple proliferation phytoplasma and its psyllid vector Cacopsylla melanoneura. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2020; 127:103474. [PMID: 33007407 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2020.103474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Revised: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Phytoplasmas are bacterial plant pathogens that are detrimental to many plants and cause devastating effects on crops. They are not viable outside their host plants and depend on specific insect vectors for their transmission. So far, research has largely focused on plant-pathogen interactions, while the complex interactions between phytoplasmas and insect vectors are far less understood. Here, we used next-generation sequencing to investigate how transcriptional profiles of the vector psyllid Cacopsylla melanoneura (Hemiptera, Psyllidae) are altered during infection by the bacterium Candidatus Phytoplasma mali (P. mali), which causes the economically important apple proliferation disease. This first de novo transcriptome assembly of an apple proliferation vector revealed that mainly genes involved in small GTPase mediated signal transduction, nervous system development, adhesion, reproduction, actin-filament based and rhythmic processes are significantly altered upon P. mali infection. Furthermore, the presence of P. mali is accompanied by significant changes in carbohydrate and polyol levels, as revealed by metabolomics analysis. Taken together, our results suggest that infection with P. mali impacts on the insect vector physiology, which in turn likely affects the ability of the vector to transmit phytoplasma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Weil
- Research and Innovation Center, Fondazione E. Mach, 38010, San Michele all'Adige (TN), Italy.
| | - Lino Ometto
- Research and Innovation Center, Fondazione E. Mach, 38010, San Michele all'Adige (TN), Italy; Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Anna Esteve-Codina
- CNAG-CRG, Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jèssica Gómez-Garrido
- CNAG-CRG, Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Tiziana Oppedisano
- Research and Innovation Center, Fondazione E. Mach, 38010, San Michele all'Adige (TN), Italy; Present address: Hermiston Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Oregon State University, Hermiston (OR, USA
| | - Cesare Lotti
- Research and Innovation Center, Fondazione E. Mach, 38010, San Michele all'Adige (TN), Italy
| | - Marc Dabad
- CNAG-CRG, Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Tyler Alioto
- CNAG-CRG, Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, 08028, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), 08003, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Urska Vrhovsek
- Research and Innovation Center, Fondazione E. Mach, 38010, San Michele all'Adige (TN), Italy
| | - Saskia Hogenhout
- Department of Crop Genetics, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7UH, UK
| | - Gianfranco Anfora
- Research and Innovation Center, Fondazione E. Mach, 38010, San Michele all'Adige (TN), Italy; Centre Agriculture Food Environment, University of Trento, 38010, San Michele all'Adige (TN), Italy
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14
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Trivellone V, Ripamonti M, Angelini E, Filippin L, Rossi M, Marzachí C, Galetto L. Evidence suggesting interactions between immunodominant membrane protein Imp of Flavescence dorée phytoplasma and protein extracts from distantly related insect species. J Appl Microbiol 2019; 127:1801-1813. [PMID: 31509633 DOI: 10.1111/jam.14445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2019] [Revised: 09/03/2019] [Accepted: 09/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
AIMS In this study, binding between the immunodominant membrane protein Imp of the 16SrV-D phytoplasma associated with Flavescence dorée disease (FD-Dp) and insect proteins of vectors and non-vectors of FD-Dp was tested. METHODS AND RESULTS Six Auchenorrhyncha species, from distantly related groups were selected: Scaphoideus titanus, Euscelidius variegatus, Macrosteles quadripunctulatus, Zyginidia pullula (Cicadomorpha), Ricania speculum and Metcalfa pruinosa (Fulgoromorpha). The vector status of each species was retrieved from the literature or determined by transmission trials in this study. A His-tagged partial Imp protein and a rabbit polyclonal antibody were synthesized and used for Western and Far-Western dot Blot (FWdB) experiments. Total native and membrane proteins (MP) were extracted from entire bodies and organs (gut and salivary glands) of each insect species. FWdB showed decreasing interaction intensities of Imp fusion protein with total proteins from entire bodies of S. titanus, E. variegatus (competent vectors) and M. quadripunctulatus (non-vector), while no interaction signal was detected with the other three species (non-vectors). A strong signal detected upon interaction of FD-D Imp and MP from guts of closely related insects supports the role of this organ as the first barrier to ensure successful transmission. CONCLUSIONS Our results showed that specific Imp binding, correlated with vector status, is involved in interactions between FD-Dp and insect proteins. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY Integrating knowledge on host-pathogen protein-protein interactions and on insect phylogeny would help to identify the actual range of vectors of phytoplasma strains of economic importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Trivellone
- Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, USA.,Council for Agricultural Research and Economics (CREA), Research Centre for Viticulture and Enology, Conegliano, TV, Italy
| | - M Ripamonti
- Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection, National Research Council, Turin, Italy.,Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Forestali ed Alimentari DISAFA, Università degli Studi di Torino, Grugliasco, TO, Italy
| | - E Angelini
- Council for Agricultural Research and Economics (CREA), Research Centre for Viticulture and Enology, Conegliano, TV, Italy
| | - L Filippin
- Council for Agricultural Research and Economics (CREA), Research Centre for Viticulture and Enology, Conegliano, TV, Italy
| | - M Rossi
- Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection, National Research Council, Turin, Italy
| | - C Marzachí
- Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection, National Research Council, Turin, Italy
| | - L Galetto
- Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection, National Research Council, Turin, Italy
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15
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van Bel AJE, Musetti R. Sieve element biology provides leads for research on phytoplasma lifestyle in plant hosts. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2019; 70:3737-3755. [PMID: 30972422 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erz172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2019] [Accepted: 03/26/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Phytoplasmas reside exclusively in sieve tubes, tubular arrays of sieve element-companion cell complexes. Hence, the cell biology of sieve elements may reveal (ultra)structural and functional conditions that are of significance for survival, propagation, colonization, and effector spread of phytoplasmas. Electron microscopic images suggest that sieve elements offer facilities for mobile and stationary stages in phytoplasma movement. Stationary stages may enable phytoplasmas to interact closely with diverse sieve element compartments. The unique, reduced sieve element outfit requires permanent support by companion cells. This notion implies a future focus on the molecular biology of companion cells to understand the sieve element-phytoplasma inter-relationship. Supply of macromolecules by companion cells is channelled via specialized symplasmic connections. Ca2+-mediated gating of symplasmic corridors is decisive for the communication within and beyond the sieve element-companion cell complex and for the dissemination of phytoplasma effectors. Thus, Ca2+ homeostasis, which affects sieve element Ca2+ signatures and induces a range of modifications, is a key issue during phytoplasma infection. The exceptional physical and chemical environment in sieve elements seems an essential, though not the only factor for phytoplasma survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aart J E van Bel
- Institute of Phytopathology, Centre for BioSystems, Land Use and Nutrition, Justus-Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Rita Musetti
- Department of Agricultural, Food, Environmental and Animal Sciences, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
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