Award details

Functional characterization of phytoplasma candidate virulence proteins that target plant cell nuclei

Reference	BBS/E/J/000CA317
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor Saskia Hogenhout
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors	Professor Andrew Maule
Institution	John Innes Centre
Department	John Innes Centre Department
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	56,532
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	01/07/2007
End date	30/06/2009
Duration	24 months

Abstract

Phytoplasmas are insect-transmitted intracellular bacterial pathogens that infect plants in domesticated (crops) and natural habitats worldwide. Typically, they induce shoot proliferation and differentiation of floral parts into leafy structures, suggesting interference with basic cellular and developmental pathways. The applicant has led a consortium that sequenced the 724 kbp genome of aster yellows phytoplasma strain witches' broom (AY-WB), and is involved in two further phytoplasma sequencing programmes. Analysis of the AY-WB sequence identified 56 candidate virulence proteins of which 4 have nuclear localization signals (NLSs). Two of these proteins (A11 and A30) target nuclei in plant cells. The objective of this proposal is to functionally characterize those candidate virulence proteins that target plant nuclei, with the hypothesis that they could change gene expression profiles through interactions with transcription factors and regulatory sequences. This work takes advantage of the broad host range of AY-WB that includes Nicotiana benthamiana, tomato, and Arabidopsis thaliana. The specific aims of the proposal are: 1. Determine the cellular localization of all AY-WB NLS-containing proteins in plants. 2. Assess whether A11 and A30 differentially regulate transcription factors and how this may affect host susceptibility to AY-WB. Relative to other work on bacterial virulence in plants, the work is distinctive in focusing on virulence factors that target nuclei and on intracellular bacterial pathogens. Finally, this project will transfer research experience and knowledge obtained during a approximately 7 year career in the USA to the John Innes Centre, Norwich, UK.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Plant & Microbial Sciences (PMS)
Research Topics	Crop Science, Microbiology, Plant Science
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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