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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BARC) » Beltsville Agricultural Research Center » Molecular Plant Pathology Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #423178
Research Project: Omics-Based Approach to Detection, Identification, and Systematics of Plant Pathogenic Phytoplasmas and Spiroplasmas

Location: Molecular Plant Pathology Laboratory

Title: Exploring plant epigenetic responses to Paulownia Witches'-Broom phytoplasma infection

Author
item LI, JIDONG - Henan Agricultural University
item BERTACCINI, ASSUNTA - University Of Bologna, Italy
item Wei, Wei

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/23/2025
Publication Date: 1/13/2025
Citation: Li, J., Bertaccini, A., Wei, W. 2025. Exploring plant epigenetic responses to Paulownia Witches'-Broom phytoplasma infection. Book Chapter. 14:226-236. https://doi.org/10.1079/9781800627031.0014.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1079/9781800627031.0014

Interpretive Summary: Phytoplasmas are tiny bacteria that lack a cell wall and can interfere with plant growth by changing how genes function. They do this through epigenetic modifications, which are chemical changes to DNA, RNA, or proteins that influence whether genes are turned on or off without altering the actual genetic code. While epigenetic regulation is important for how plants respond to stress, its role in phytoplasma-related diseases is not yet fully understood. In this book chapter, an ARS scientist based in Beltsville, Maryland, collaborates with researchers from China and Italy to explore how paulownia witches' broom (PaWB) phytoplasma affects paulownia trees. The chapter focuses on three key regulatory mechanisms: DNA methylation (chemical markers that can turn genes on or off), histone modifications (changes to proteins that help organize and package DNA), and RNA regulation (small molecules that control gene activity). By examining these processes, the chapter aims to clarify how phytoplasma infections spread and how trees respond. This knowledge offers valuable insights for scientists, tree growers, and forestry experts working to develop disease-resistant and sustainable paulownia cultivation.

Technical Abstract: Phytoplasma infection induces epigenetic changes in plants, thereby affecting their growth and development. Paulownia trees, widely cultivated for timber, ornamental purposes and agroforestry, are severely threatened by paulownia witches’-broom (PaWB) disease, associated with phytoplasma infection. Modifications to DNA, RNA or protein (without altering DNA sequences), have been implicated in the development of PaWB disease. This chapter explores the epigenetic responses of paulownia to PaWB disease, highlighting the roles of DNA methylation, lysine acetylation and succinylation, histone methylation and acetylation, non-coding RNA regulation, mRNA and protein modifications in disease development and resistance. These findings enhance our understanding of how plants respond to phytoplasma-induced stress and offer potential strategies for managing similar plant diseases through targeted epigenetic interventions.