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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 #423179
Research Project: Omics-Based Approach to Detection, Identification, and Systematics of Plant Pathogenic Phytoplasmas and Spiroplasmas

Location: Molecular Plant Pathology Laboratory

Title: Molecular aspects of phytoplasma infection: ubiquitin-proteasome system and transcription factors under attack

Author
item MALFERTHEINER, CHRISTA - Laimburg Research Centre, Italy
item EGGER, SIMONE - Laimburg Research Centre, Italy
item MITTLEBERGER, CECILIA - Laimburg Research Centre, Italy
item JANIK, KATRIN - Laimburg Research Centre, Italy
item Wei, Wei
item TABARELLI, MATTIA - Laimburg Research Centre, Italy

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/18/2025
Publication Date: 10/13/2025
Citation: Malfertheiner, C., Egger, S., Mittleberger, C., Janik, K., Wei, W., Tabarelli, M. 2025. Molecular aspects of phytoplasma infection: ubiquitin-proteasome system and transcription factors under attack. Book Chapter. 9:145-160. https://doi.org/10.1079/9781800627031.0009.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1079/9781800627031.0009

Interpretive Summary: Phytoplasmas are bacterial plant pathogens that hijack plant systems, disrupting natural defenses and growth processes to facilitate their spread. They achieve this by using special proteins, called effectors, to manipulate key plant functions. Over the past two decades, research has uncovered many of these tricks, but scientists are still working to fully understand how phytoplasmas control plant cells at a deeper level. In this book chapter, in collaboration with Italian scientists, an ARS scientist based in Beltsville, Maryland summarizes the latest discoveries, highlighting both established findings and unresolved questions while suggesting new research directions. Understanding these interactions is crucial for plant scientists, farmers, and agricultural researchers looking for better ways to protect crops and develop disease-resistant plants.

Technical Abstract: Phytoplasma infections involve complicated molecular mechanisms that interfere with the host ubiquitin-proteasome system and transcription factors. By deploying bacterial effectors, phytoplasmas manipulate key host proteins and pathways, disrupting immune and developmental processes to promote their colonization. Nearly two decades of research have illuminated how these strategies used by phytoplasmas determine phenotypic changes and suppress host defenses. Upon examining these complex interactions, this chapter provides an up-to-date overview of state-of-the-art research in this field, intending to highlight knowledge gaps and possible research directions to achieve a well-rounded understanding of this fascinating and intricate pathosystem.