Review
Plant Sciences
Assunta Bertaccini
Summary: The presence of plant pathogen phytoplasmas is extremely dangerous for agricultural ecosystems and can cause significant economic losses. They have the ability to manipulate host metabolic pathways without causing harm to the host. The management of phytoplasma-associated diseases is challenging due to the continuous patho-adaptation mechanism and the coexistence of other pathogens. It is therefore important to reduce the impact of phytoplasma-related diseases to protect plant biodiversity.
Article
Microbiology
Wei Wei, Valeria Trivellone, Christopher H. Dietrich, Yan Zhao, Kristi D. Bottner-Parker, Algirdas Ivanauskas
Summary: This study identified new phytoplasma strains that represent new genetic subgroups and extend previously undiscovered geographical distributions. Additionally, it was found that certain leafhoppers can harbor phytoplasmas, expanding our understanding of phytoplasmas. Further research on transmission trials and screening of potential host plants and weed reservoirs will help improve our knowledge of phytoplasma transmission and epidemiology.
Article
Microbiology
Christophe Garcion, Laure Beven, Xavier Foissac
Summary: This study compared the prediction performance of different signal peptide prediction methods on phytoplasma sequences and found that SignalP 4.1 had the most comprehensive and consistent prediction ability, although overly sensitive configuration may lead to a higher false positive rate. Comparative genomics was shown to be useful in strengthening confidence in bioinformatic predictions.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Fuli Ma, Shanqi Zhang, Yu Yao, Mengting Chen, Ning Zhang, Mingsheng Deng, Wei Chen, Chi Ma, Xinyue Zhang, Chenglong Guo, Xiang Huang, Zhenyuan Zhang, Yamei Li, Tingyi Li, Junyong Zhou, Qibao Sun, Jun Sun
Summary: Jujube witches' broom (JWB) phytoplasmas manipulate the ABA pathways mediated by ZjBRC1 to stimulate lateral bud outgrowth and expansion. This research provides insights into the genetic mechanisms acting inside jujube lateral buds under JWB infection.
HORTICULTURE RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Kenro Oshima, Kensaku Maejima, Yuta Isobe, Ai Endo, Shigetou Namba, Yasuyuki Yamaji
Summary: Phytoplasmas are plant pathogenic bacteria that reside within the plant phloem. They cause a wide range of unique symptoms and have significant impacts on agricultural production and forest trees.
PHYSIOLOGICAL AND MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Jannicke Gallinger, Kerstin Zikeli, Matthias R. Zimmermann, Louisa M. Goerg, Axel Mithoefer, Michael Reichelt, Erich Seemueller, Jurgen Gross, Alexandra C. U. Furch
Summary: The study compared the morphological and physiological changes in apple, peach, and pear trees infected by specific phytoplasma species. Infected apple trees showed reduced leaf and vascular area, affecting phloem mass flow, while infected pear trees exhibited increased mass flow and physicochemical characteristics of phloem sap. Increased callose deposition was detected in pear and peach leaves, with elevated concentrations of defence- and stress-related phytohormones in apple and peach trees. The study provides new insights into how apple trees may have enhanced ability to survive phytoplasma infection through long-lasting morphological adaptations, compared to peach and pear trees.
Article
Agronomy
Delia Gamarra Gamarra, Charo Milagros Villar, Gilberto Torres Suarez, Walter Darlyn Ingaruca Esteban, Nicoletta Contaldo, Emerson Clovis Carrasco Lozano, Assunta Bertaccini
Summary: Corn plants in Peru with multiple symptoms were found to be infected by 'Candidatus Phytoplasma' strains related to aster and pruni. The presence of these phytoplasmas in maize and their association with the maize bushy stunt disease provide important information for disease management.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PLANT PATHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Karla Gisel Carreon-Anguiano, Sara Elena Vila-Luna, Luis Saenz-Carbonell, Blondy Canto-Canche
Summary: Phytoplasmas are causal agents of plant diseases, and effectors play a key role. Predicting effectors has been a challenge, but the PhyEffector algorithm demonstrated high reliability and can accelerate effectoromics in phytoplasmas.
Article
Agronomy
Asem Habes Abu Alloush, Piero Attilio Bianco, Enrico Busato, Yousef Alkhawaldeh, Alberto Alma, Rosemarie Tedeschi, Fabio Quaglino
Summary: Field surveys conducted in Jordan found that grapevine yellows phytoplasmas, including Candidatus Phytoplasma solani, Ca. P. omanense, Ca. P. aurantifolia, and Ca. P. asteris, were detected in both wine and table grape vineyards. The phytoplasmas had differential distribution in the surveyed vineyards. Insect vectors and bindweed were identified as potential sources of the phytoplasmas. These results indicate a more complex diversity and ecology of grapevine yellows phytoplasmas in Jordan than previously known, posing a potential risk of disease outbreaks.
Article
Entomology
William Rodney Cooper, William B. Walker III, Gina M. Angelella, Kylie D. Swisher Grimm, Jillian J. Foutz, Scott J. Harper, Louis B. Nottingham, Tobin D. Northfield, Carrie H. Wohleb, Carl A. Strausbaugh
Summary: Insects often carry bacterial endosymbionts that provide them with benefits such as nutrition and protection against various factors. This study identified and confirmed the presence of bacterial endosymbionts in leafhopper vectors of different phytoplasma species. The study also found associations between specific endosymbionts and plant pathogens. These findings provide a foundation for further research on the interactions between leafhoppers, bacterial endosymbionts, and phytoplasma.
ENVIRONMENTAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Liliana Franco-Lara, Claudia Angelica Varela-Correa, Geovanna Paola Guerrero-Carranza, Julieth Catalina Quintero-Vargas
Summary: Cundinamarca, Colombia, a major potato producing region, has reported a new disease affecting potato fields since 2012. The disease is characterized by yellowing and rolling of leaves. The presence of phytoplasmas, specifically 'Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris' and 'Candidatus Phytoplasma fraxini', has been confirmed and they can be transmitted through infected tubers and insect vectors.
Article
Agronomy
Mohammad Salehi, Seyyed Alireza Esmaeilzadeh-Hosseini, Elham Salehi, Assunta Bertaccini
Summary: Surveys in eggplant growing areas of Iran from 2015 to 2018 detected phytoplasmas in all symptomatic samples, identifying six subgroups and molecular variants. The study suggests that eggplant fields play a significant role in the epidemiology of diseases associated with these phytoplasmas in Iran.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PLANT PATHOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Karolina Pusz-Bochenska, Edel Perez-Lopez, Tyler J. Wist, Harvinder Bennypaul, Daniel Sanderson, Margaret Green, Tim J. Dumonceaux
Summary: Phytoplasmas are insect-vectored bacterial pathogens that infect a wide range of crops, causing significant yield losses. Accurate diagnostics is crucial for managing diseases associated with these microorganisms. PCR-based methods are commonly used for detection, but they have limitations. To overcome these limitations, a PCR-independent multilocus sequence typing (MLST) assay was developed, which proved to be an efficient way to differentiate Phytoplasma species/strains.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
D. Sneideris, A. Ivanauskas, M. Zizyte, D. Valiunas
Summary: The study investigated the use of the secA gene as a marker to supplement the classification scheme based on 16S rRNA sequences. Cloning and sequencing of different phytoplasma groups' secA gene fragments allowed for the proposal of a method to quickly identify and distinguish phytoplasma subgroups.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PLANT PATHOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Naofel Aljafer, Mathew Dickinson
Summary: A new set of loop-mediated isothermal amplification assays has been developed and optimized for rapid laboratory detection of phytoplasmas associated with plant diseases, targeting specific phytoplasma 16Sr groups. These assays are specific, sensitive, and capable of providing results within 30 minutes in real-time LAMP assays.
JOURNAL OF PLANT PATHOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Kiran Kirdat, Bhavesh Tiwarekar, Vipool Thorat, Shivaji Sathe, Yogesh Shouche, Amit Yadav
Summary: SCGS phytoplasma is genetically distinct from other related species, forming a distant clade within the RYD group. A novel taxon "Candidatus Phytoplasma sacchari" is proposed based on phylogenetic analyses and genome sequences.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SYSTEMATIC AND EVOLUTIONARY MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Editorial Material
Plant Sciences
K. S. Sumashri, Kiran Kirdat, Vandana Yadav, Shilpa Natraj, G. R. Janardhana, Amit Yadav
Article
Microbiology
Vipool Thorat, Kiran Kirdat, Bhavesh Tiwarekar, Priyanka Dhanavade, Prachi Karodi, Yogesh Shouche, Shivaji Sathe, Tushar Lodha, Amit Yadav
Summary: Two novel strains, UniB2(T) and UniB3(T), were isolated from digestive syrup and identified as new species of Paenibacillus and Niallia, respectively. These strains differed from their phylogenetically related neighbors in terms of fatty acid composition, DNA G+C content, and carbon utilization pattern.
ARCHIVES OF MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Dattatray S. Mongad, Nikeeta S. Chavan, Nitin P. Narwade, Kunal Dixit, Yogesh S. Shouche, Dhiraj P. Dhotre
Summary: 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing accurately characterizes microbial taxonomic abundances but lacks functional information. MicFunPred, a new tool, uses core genes to predict metagenomes, showing low False Positive Rate and performing faster with lower computational requirements compared to other tools.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lingling Hu, Xin Chen, Nitin Narwade, Michelle Gek Liang Lim, Zikai Chen, Chandana Tennakoon, Peiyong Guan, Un In Chan, Zuxianglan Zhao, Mokan Deng, Xiaoling Xu, Wing-Kin Sung, Edwin Cheung
Summary: The study reveals that AR directly regulates a set of signature genes in the ER-to-Golgi transport pathway in PCa, which are essential for cell growth and survival. Inhibiting the ER-to-Golgi transport process enhances the antiandrogen-mediated tumor suppression effect, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy for advanced PCa.
Article
Microbiology
Vipool Thorat, Bhavesh Tiwarekar, Kiran Kirdat, Saurabhee Chavan, Shital Markad, Shivaji Sathe, Tushar Lodha, Amit Yadav
Summary: A new strain of yellow Hydrogenophaga crocea was isolated from farmland mud cultivated with sugarcane in Ahmednagar, India. The strain showed high similarity with other Hydrogenophaga species based on analysis of its 16S rRNA gene sequence, fatty acid and polar lipid composition, and DNA content. However, it exhibited distinct biochemical and physiological features compared to its closest phylogenetic neighbors.
ARCHIVES OF MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mi Chen, Shreyas Lingadahalli, Nitin Narwade, Kate Man Kei Lei, Shanshan Liu, Zuxianglan Zhao, Yimin Zheng, Qian Lu, Alexander Hin Ning Tang, Terence Chuen Wai Poon, Edwin Cheung
Summary: The study identifies TRIM33 as a novel AR transcriptional coactivator in PCa that promotes tumor growth and progression. TRIM33 stabilizes AR and regulates cell cycle and apoptosis to impact PCa growth. Clinical analyses reveal upregulation of TRIM33 in multiple PCa patient cohorts, and it can serve as a predictive marker for disease recurrence.
Article
Biology
Kiran Kirdat, Bhavesh Tiwarekar, Purushotham Swetha, Sodaliyandi Padma, Vipool Thorat, Kathiruguppe Nagappa Manjula, Narayan Kavya, Ramachandran Sundararaj, Amit Yadav
Summary: The Sandalwood Spike disease, caused by Ca. Phytoplasma asteris, has posed a serious threat to sandalwood in India. Despite efforts to understand the role of insect vectors and alternate plant hosts in the transmission of this disease over the past two decades, the epidemiology of the Sandalwood Spike disease is still poorly understood. Information on vertical transmission via seeds is completely unknown.
Correction
Microbiology
Vipool Thorat, Kiran Kirdat, Bhavesh Tiwarekar, Priyanka Dhanavade, Prachi Karodi, Yogesh Shouche, Shivaji Sathe, Tushar Lodha, Amit Yadav
ARCHIVES OF MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Diptaraj Chaudhari, Shashi Kiran, Ashish Choudhary, Kris Silveira, Nitin Narwade, Dhiraj Dhotre, Jabeena Khazir, Bilal Ahmad Mir, Yogesh S. Shouche, Praveen Rahi
Summary: This study investigated the prokaryotic communities associated with lotus plants and water and sediments of Dal Lake. The diversity of prokaryotes was found to be significantly lower on the surface of lotus microhabitats compared to lake water and sediments. Roots and leaves harbored more diverse communities than rhizomes, fruits, and flowers. Potential human pathogenic genera were also identified on lotus microhabitats.
INTERNATIONAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Guimei Cui, Zhuoran Gao, Shiehong Chang, Nitin Narwade, Yitian Chen, Barun Poudel, Kate M. K. Lei, Weibo Zhang, Gang Li, Terence C. W. Poon, Edwin Cheung
Summary: This study identifies TRIM37 as a novel coactivator of AP-2 gamma in breast cancer cells and demonstrates its role in regulating transcription by promoting K63 chain-linked ubiquitination of AP-2 gamma.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
