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Updated: Sep 26, 2026

Detecting Virus and Salivary Proteins of a Leafhopper Vector in the Plant Host
07:23

Detecting Virus and Salivary Proteins of a Leafhopper Vector in the Plant Host

Published on: September 14, 2021

Spiroplasma citri, a plant pathogenic molligute: relationships with its two hosts, the plant and the leafhopper

Joseph M Bové1, Joël Renaudin, Colette Saillard

  • 1Laboratoire de Biologie Cellulaire et Moleculaire, INRA & Universite de Bordeaux 2, BP 81 33883 Villenave d'Ornon cedex, France. jbove@bordeaux.inra.fr

Annual Review of Phytopathology
|May 6, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Spiroplasma citri utilizes fructose in plant phloem, impacting sucrose transport. This mechanism is crucial for understanding Spiroplasma citri pathogenesis and transmission by insects.

Area of Science:

  • Plant pathology
  • Microbiology
  • Insect vector biology

Background:

  • Spiroplasma citri is a phloem-limited phytopathogenic mollicute.
  • Spiroplasma citri exhibits unique motility and helical morphology.
  • Phytopathogenic mollicutes are transmitted by phloem sap-feeding insects.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of fructose utilization in Spiroplasma citri pathogenesis.
  • To identify genes involved in Spiroplasma citri transmission and membrane structure.
  • To understand the mechanism of Spiroplasma citri-induced plant disease.

Main Methods:

  • Identification of MreB genes in Spiroplasma citri.
  • Analysis of genes involved in insect transmission.
  • Characterization of genes encoding lipoproteins like spiralin.
  • Comparison of wild-type and fructose-utilization-deficient Spiroplasma citri mutants.

Main Results:

  • Mutants unable to utilize fructose induced milder, delayed symptoms in host plants.
  • Genes for cell shape determination (MreB) and insect transmission were identified.
  • Lipoprotein genes, including spiralin, were identified on the outer membrane.
  • Fructose utilization by Spiroplasma citri may impair companion cell function and sucrose loading.

Conclusions:

  • Fructose metabolism is a key factor in Spiroplasma citri pathogenicity.
  • Understanding Spiroplasma citri's molecular mechanisms can inform disease management strategies.
  • Further research into Spiroplasma citri-host interactions is warranted.

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