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Title: IN PLANTA FUNCTIONAL SCREENING OF PHYTOPLASMA GENES: TOWARD IDENTIFICATION OF EFFECTOR PROTEINS INVOLVED IN PATHOGENESIS

Author
item WEI, WEI - PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA
item Zhao, Yan
item Davis, Robert
item CHANG, CHUNG-JAN - UNIV OF GEORGIA
item SHI, XIURONG - PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA

Submitted to: American Phytopathological Society Potomac Division Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/15/2006
Publication Date: 3/15/2006
Citation: Wei, W., Zhao, Y., Davis, R.E., Chang, C., Shi, X. 2006. In planta functional screening of phytoplasma genes: toward identification of effector proteins involved in pathogenesis. American Phytopathological Society Potomac Division Meeting. 96:S192.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris' and related phytoplasmas are a group of phloem-restricted, cell wall-less bacteria that cause numerous plant diseases worldwide. Despite the recent accomplishments in genome sequencing of two aster yellows phytoplasma strains, knowledge about genes involved in phytoplasma pathogenicity and about molecular interactions between phytoplasmas and their host plants is still lacking. To gain insights into what genes and gene products may play roles in disease induction and/or symptom expression, we launched a genome-scale in planta functional screening of aster yellows phytoplasma effector proteins. A complete set of protein-encoding genes from ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris' –related strain AY1 were amplified by polymerase chain reactions and cloned into Potato virus X (PVX)-based binary expression vector pGR107. Plasmid constructs harboring individual phytoplasma genes were transformed into Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain GV3101. In planta functional screening was carried out by infiltration inoculation of Agrobacterium cells into leaves of Nicotiana benthamiana seedlings. While most of the inoculated plants showed systemic symptoms typical of PVX infection, some exhibited unusual phenotypes including stunting, shoot proliferation, and chlorosis or yellowing of the foliage tissues. Studies are being focused on those plants showing unusual symptoms. Findings of this study may lead to identification of phytoplasma genes and gene products that are involved in phytoplasma pathogenesis and symptom expression.