Natterin-like and legumain insect gut proteins promote the multiplication of a vector-borne bacterial plant pathogen.

Phytoplasmas are phloem-limited plant pathogenic bacteria causing diseases in many plant species. They are transmitted by Hemipteran insect species in a persistent-propagative manner. Phytoplasmas are wall-less, and their membrane proteins are involved in pathogen internalization into host cells.

Silencing of ATP Synthase β Impairs Egg Development in the Leafhopper , Vector of the Phytoplasma Associated with Grapevine Flavescence Dorée.

(Hemiptera: ) is the natural vector of Flavescence dorée phytoplasma, a quarantine pest of grapevine with severe impact on European viticulture. RNA interference (RNAi) machinery components are present in transcriptome and injection of ATP synthase β dsRNAs into adults caused gene silencing, starting three days post injection (dpi) up to 20 dpi, leading to decrease cognate protein. Silencing of this gene in the closely related leafhopper previously showed female sterility and lack of mature eggs in ovaries.

Silencing of ATP synthase β reduces phytoplasma multiplication in a leafhopper vector.

The leafhopper Euscelidius variegatus is a natural vector of the chrysanthemum yellows phytoplasma (CYp) and a laboratory vector of the Flavescence dorée phytoplasma (FDp). Previous studies indicated a crucial role for insect ATP synthase α and β subunits during phytoplasma infection of the vector species. Gene silencing of ATP synthase β was obtained by injection of specific dsRNAs in E.

Molecular memory of phytoplasma in recovering grapevines.

(FD) is a destructive phytoplasma disease of European grapevines. Spontaneous and cultivar-dependent recovery (REC) may occur in the field in FD-infected vines starting the year following the first symptoms. However, the biological underpinnings of this process are still largely unexplored.