Journal of Applied Microbiology (2019) 127, 1801-1813

V. Trivellone, M. Ripamonti, E. Angelini, L. Filippin, M. Rossi, C. Marzachí and L. Galetto (2019)
Evidence suggesting interactions between immunodominant membrane protein Imp of Flavescence dorée phytoplasma and protein extracts from distantly related insect species
Journal of Applied Microbiology 127 (6), 1801-1813
Abstract:
Aims
In this study, binding between the immunodominant membrane protein Imp of the 16SrV-D phytoplasma associated with Flavescence dorée disease (FD-Dp) and insect proteins of vectors and non-vectors of FD-Dp was tested.
Methods and Results
Six Auchenorrhyncha species, from distantly related groups were selected: Scaphoideus titanus, Euscelidius variegatus, Macrosteles quadripunctulatus, Zyginidia pullula (Cicadomorpha), Ricania speculum and Metcalfa pruinosa (Fulgoromorpha). The vector status of each species was retrieved from the literature or determined by transmission trials in this study. A His-tagged partial Imp protein and a rabbit polyclonal antibody were synthesized and used for Western and Far-Western dot Blot (FWdB) experiments. Total native and membrane proteins (MP) were extracted from entire bodies and organs (gut and salivary glands) of each insect species. FWdB showed decreasing interaction intensities of Imp fusion protein with total proteins from entire bodies of S. titanus, E. variegatus (competent vectors) and M. quadripunctulatus (non-vector), while no interaction signal was detected with the other three species (non-vectors). A strong signal detected upon interaction of FD-D Imp and MP from guts of closely related insects supports the role of this organ as the first barrier to ensure successful transmission.
Conclusions
Our results showed that specific Imp binding, correlated with vector status, is involved in interactions between FD-Dp and insect proteins.
Significance and Impact of the Study
Integrating knowledge on host–pathogen protein–protein interactions and on insect phylogeny would help to identify the actual range of vectors of phytoplasma strains of economic importance.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Elisa Angelini, Cristina Marzachi, Luciana Galetto

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
transmission/dispersal of plant diseases

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Scaphoideus titanus
	Phytoplasma vitis
	Euscelidius variegatus
	Macrosteles quadripunctulatus