title: Immunodominant membrane proteins of phytoplasmas.
abstract: Phytoplasmas are plant-pathogenic, phloem-colonizing, cell wall-less microorganisms that are primarily dependent on insect transmission for their spread and survival. The life cycle of phytoplasmas involves replication in insects and host plants. Until recently, phytoplasmas have resisted all attempts at cultivation in cell-free media, making these pathogens poorly characterized on a physiological and biochemical basis. However, host-pathogen relationships can be studied by investigating immunodominant membrane proteins (IDPs), which are located on the exterior surfaces of phytoplasma cells and are the most abundant proteins of the cell membrane. These membrane proteins come in direct contact with both insect and plant hosts and are thought to play a crucial role in phytoplasma spread both within the plant and by insect vectors. Therefore, there is great interest in studying this class of proteins. We summarize and discuss important investigations about these membrane proteins, which have already provided a better understanding of the host-phytoplasma relationship.
authors.affiliation: RLP-AgroScience GmbH, AlPlanta-Institute for Plant Research, Breitenweg 71, 67435 Neustadt, Germany.
authors.forename: Alisa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Konnerth
authors.affiliation: RLP-AgroScience GmbH, AlPlanta-Institute for Plant Research, Breitenweg 71, 67435 Neustadt, Germany.
authors.forename: Gabriele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Krczal
authors.affiliation: RLP-AgroScience GmbH, AlPlanta-Institute for Plant Research, Breitenweg 71, 67435 Neustadt, Germany.
authors.forename: Kajohn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Boonrod
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence / Q000235:genetics; D000818:Animals; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism*; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D016056:Immunodominant Epitopes / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D007313:Insecta / Q000382:microbiology; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D045582:Phytoplasma / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D010944:Plants / Q000382:microbiology; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D016056:Immunodominant Epitopes; D008565:Membrane Proteins