Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 28, 2026
08:07
Identification of Plasmodesmal Localization Sequences in Proteins In Planta
Published on: August 15, 2017
8.8K
Diversity of Phytoplasmas Infecting Plants and Insects in Iran Reveals Two Novel Ribosomal Subgroups
Valeria Trivellone1, Wardah Noor Syeda1, Maryam Ghayeb Zamharir2
1Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL 61820, USA.
Insects
|February 27, 2026
Summary
Phytoplasmas, bacterial plant pathogens, were studied in Iran across various crops and insects. New strains and plant-insect associations were discovered, improving our understanding of phytoplasma diversity and spread.
Area of Science:
- Plant pathology
- Bacteriology
- Entomology
- Phylogenetics
Background:
- Phytoplasmas are significant bacterial pathogens affecting crops globally, transmitted by insects.
- Understanding phytoplasma transmission pathways in Iran is crucial but currently limited at fine scales.
- This study addresses the poorly resolved insect-associated phytoplasma transmission in Iranian agroecosystems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate phytoplasma strains in diverse plant hosts and potential insect vectors in Iran.
- To characterize phytoplasmas using 16S rRNA and multilocus sequencing.
- To identify novel phytoplasma strains, subgroups, and host-insect associations.
Main Methods:
- Targeted next-generation sequencing was employed for nearly full-length 16S rRNA and protein-coding gene analysis.
- Phytoplasmas were analyzed from grapevine, soybean, barberry, Conyza canadensis, and three insect species.
- Phylogenetic analyses were conducted using both ribosomal and multilocus datasets.
Main Results:
- Five phytoplasma strains from ribosomal groups 16SrI, 16SrVI, 16SrIX, and 16SrXII were identified.
- Two novel subgroups, 16SrI-AS and 16SrIX-K, were discovered.
- New plant-phytoplasma and insect-phytoplasma associations were documented, revealing broader circulation.
Conclusions:
- Multilocus markers offer enhanced resolution for phytoplasma classification beyond 16S rRNA gene analysis.
- Diverse hosts and polyphagous insects play a role in phytoplasma circulation.
- High-throughput sequencing and multilocus approaches significantly advance the study of phytoplasma diversity and evolution.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Diversity of Protists II
1.5K
Alveolates are a group of organisms recognized by the presence of alveoli, which are cytoplasmic sacs located beneath the cell membrane. While their function remains uncertain, alveoli may help regulate water balance by controlling how much water enters and leaves the cell. In dinoflagellates, these structures may serve as armor plates. There are three major types of alveolates: ciliates, which move using cilia; dinoflagellates, which use flagella for movement; and apicomplexans, which are...
1.5K
01:27Diversity of Protists IV
1.4K
Amoebozoa represent a diverse group of terrestrial and aquatic protists that utilize lobe-shaped pseudopodia for locomotion and feeding. This characteristic differentiates them from the Rhizaria, which possess threadlike pseudopodia. The primary classifications within Amoebozoa include gymnamoebas, entamoebas, and the plasmodial and cellular slime molds. Phylogenetic evidence indicates that Amoebozoa diverged from a lineage that ultimately gave rise to fungi and animals.Gymnamoebas and...
1.4K
01:24Diversity of Archaea II
585
Archaea, one of the three domains of life, exhibit remarkable diversity and adaptability, thriving in both extreme and moderate environments. Historically, most identified archaea have been classified into two major phyla: Euryarchaeota and Crenarchaeota. However, recent molecular studies have expanded this classification to include three additional phyla: Thaumarchaeota, Nanoarchaeota, and Korarchaeota, each exhibiting unique characteristics and ecological roles.Thaumarchaeota: Mesophiles...
585
01:29Diversity of Archaea IV
538
Hyperthermophilic archaea are a group of extremophiles thriving at temperatures above 80°C, often in hydrothermal vents and volcanic soils where conditions surpass the boiling point of water. At such temperatures, proteins, membranes, and DNA in most organisms degrade, but hyperthermophiles have evolved remarkable adaptations to maintain stability and function.Unique Cellular FeaturesHyperthermophilic membranes are composed of a monolayer of biphytanyl tetraether lipids, which resist...
538
01:27Diversity of Archaea III
397
Crenarchaeota, a prominent phylum of Archaea, is remarkable for its ability to thrive in extreme environments characterized by high temperatures and acidity. These microorganisms inhabit sulfuric hot springs, volcanic systems, and submarine hydrothermal vents, where temperatures often exceed 100°C. The unique adaptations of Crenarchaeota not only allow survival under such extreme conditions but also provide insights into the mechanisms of life in primordial Earth-like...
397
01:15Diversity of Protists I
1.5K
Excavata is a diverse group of protists that includes both chemoorganotrophic and phototrophic species, with some thriving in anaerobic environments. Among the key groups within Excavata are diplomonads and parabasalids, which are flagellated protists that lack mitochondria and chloroplasts. These microorganisms typically inhabit anoxic environments, such as the intestines of animals, where they exist either symbiotically or as parasites, relying on fermentation for energy production. Some...
1.5K