Peanut witches' broom (PnWB) phytoplasma-mediated leafy flower symptoms and abnormal vascular bundles development.
The peanut witches' broom (PnWB) phytoplasma causes virescence symptoms such as phyllody (leafy flower) in infected peanuts. However, the obligate nature of phytoplasma limits the study of host-pathogen interactions, and the detailed anatomy of PnWB-infected plants has yet to be reported. Here, we demonstrate that 4',6'-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining can be used to track PnWB infection. The DAPI-stained phytoplasma cells were observed in phloem/internal phloem tissues, and changes in vascular bundle morphology, including increasing pith rays and thinner cell walls in the xylem, were found. We also discerned the cell types comprising PnWB in infected sieve tube members. These results suggest that the presence of PnWB in phloem tissue facilitates the transmission of phytoplasma via sap-feeding insect vectors. In addition, PnWB in sieve tube members and changes in vascular bundle morphology might strongly promote the ability of phytoplasmas to assimilate nutrients. These data will help further an understanding of the obligate life cycle and host-pathogen interactions of phytoplasma.
a Institue of Biotechnology; National Taiwan University ; Taipei , Taiwan.|b Agricultural Biotechnology Research Center; Academia Sinica ; Taipei , Taiwan.
Chi-Te
CT
Liu
a Institue of Biotechnology; National Taiwan University ; Taipei , Taiwan.
Hsin-Mei
HM
Huang
a Institue of Biotechnology; National Taiwan University ; Taipei , Taiwan.
Syuan-Fei
SF
Hong
d Department of Life Science ; National Taiwan University ; Taipei , Taiwan.
Ling-Long
LL
Kuo-Huang
e Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology ; National Taiwan University ; Taipei , Taiwan.
Chiao-Yin
CY
Yang
e Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology ; National Taiwan University ; Taipei , Taiwan.
Yen-Yu
YY
Lin
a Institue of Biotechnology; National Taiwan University ; Taipei , Taiwan.|e Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology ; National Taiwan University ; Taipei , Taiwan.
Chan-Pin
CP
Lin
a Institue of Biotechnology; National Taiwan University ; Taipei , Taiwan.|b Agricultural Biotechnology Research Center; Academia Sinica ; Taipei , Taiwan.|c Center of Biotechnology; National Taiwan University ; Taipei , Taiwan.
Shih-Shun
SS
Lin
D010367:Arachis / Q000382:microbiology*; D030008:Catharanthus / Q000382:microbiology; D035264:Flowers / Q000382:microbiology*; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D045582:Phytoplasma / Q000502:physiology*; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000382:microbiology*; D018547:Plant Stems / Q000382:microbiology*; D058526:Plant Vascular Bundle / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000382:microbiology
4′,6′-diamidino-2-phenylindole staining; broom phytoplasma; internal phloem; leafy flower; peanut witches'; vascular bundle