A beta-1,3 glucan sulfate induces resistance in grapevine against Plasmopara viticola through priming of defense responses, including HR-like cell death

Sulfated laminarin (PS3) has been shown previously to be an elicitor of plant defense reactions in tobacco and Arabidopsis and to induce protection against tobacco mosaic virus. Here, we have demonstrated the efficiency of PS3 in protecting a susceptible grapevine cultivar (Vitis vinifera cv. Marselan) against downy mildew (Plasmopara viticola) under glasshouse conditions. This induced resistance was associated with potentiated H2O2 production at the infection sites, upregulation of defense-related genes, callose and phenol depositions, and hypersensitive response-like cell death. Interestingly, similar responses were observed following P. viticola inoculation in a tolerant grapevine hybrid cultivar (Solaris). A pharmacological approach led us to conclude that both callose synthesis and jasmonic acid pathway contribute to PS3-induced resistance.

Phytoplasmas Associated with Elm Yellows: Molecular Variability and Differentiation from Related Organisms

Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analyses were performed on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplimers of phytoplasmal DNA from eight samples obtained from Ulmus spp. (elms) affected by elm yellows (EY) in Italy and the United States, from Catharanthus roseus infected with strain EY1, and from five other plant species infected with phytoplasmas of the EY group sensu lato (group 16SrV). RFLP profiles obtained with restriction enzyme TaqI from ribosomal DNA amplified with primer pair P1/P7 differentiated elm-associated phytoplasmas from strains originally detected in Apocynum cannabinum, Prunus spp., Rubus fruticosus, Vitis vinifera, and Ziziphus jujuba. RFLP profiles obtained similarly with BfaI differentiated strains from A. cannabinum and V. vinifera from other phytoplasmas of group 16SrV. Elm-associated strains from within the United States had two RFLP patterns in ribosomal DNA based on presence or absence of an RsaI site in the 16S-23S spacer. Elm-associated phytoplasma strains from Italy were distinguished from those of American origin by RFLPs obtained with MseI in the same fragment of non-ribosomal DNA. Strain HD1, which was discovered in A. cannabinum associated with EY-diseased elms in New York State, was unique among the strains studied.

Oligodeoxynucleotides as probes for in situ hybridization with transmission electron microscopy to specifically localize phytoplasma in plant cells

Phytoplasmas are plant-pathogenic mollicutes restricted to phloem. They belong to several groups in a unique phylogenetic clade. Non-related phytoplasmas may infect the same plant species, often with similar symptoms. Hence methods are needed to specifically localize phytoplasmas and to study their multiplication and movement in their hosts. Conditions for post-embedding in situ hybridization (ISH) with transmission electron microscopy using oligodeoxynucleotides as probes for labelling of phytoplasmas in plant tissues have been searched. Sections of acrylic resin-embedded tissues of phytoplasma-infected periwinkle were submitted to ISH using digoxigenin or biotin-labelled oligoprobes (22 mers). These probes were the complementary sequences of primers used in group-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of 16S rDNA of stolbur and elm yellows phytoplasma, respectively. Together with preliminary digestion with pepsin, different in situ denaturation conditions and formamide concentrations were tested. The grids were incubated in the hybridization mixture at 37 degreesC overnight. Detection of hybridized material was performed with gold immunocytochemistry. Specificity of labelling was checked with appropriate controls. Stringency conditions could be found to ensure specific hybridization with such short probes. A specific labelling was obtained for stolbur phytoplasma on groups of mature as well as senescent phytoplasma cells. The results show that oligonucleotides may be used as probes for phytoplasma identification in post-embedding ISH with electron microscopy.

Phylogenetic classification of phytopathogenic mollicutes by sequence analysis of 16S ribosomal DNA

The phylogenetic relationships of 17 phytopathogenic mycoplasmalike organisms (MLOs) representing seven major taxonomic groups established on the basis of MLO 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) restriction patterns were examined by performing a sequence analysis of the 16S rDNA gene. The sequence data showed that the MLOs which we examined are members of a relatively homogeneous group that evolved monophyletically from a common ancestor. In agreement with results obtained previously with other MLOs, our results also revealed that the organisms are more closely related to Acholeplasma laidlawii and other members of the anaeroplasma clade than to any other mollicutes. A phylogenetic tree based on 16S rDNAs showed that the MLOs which we examined can be divided into the following five primary clusters: (i) the aster yellows strain cluster; (ii) the apple proliferation strain cluster; (iii) the western-X disease strain cluster; (iv) the sugarcane white leaf strain cluster; and (v) the elm yellows strain cluster. The aster yellows, western-X disease, and elm yellows strain clusters were divided into two subgroups each. MLOs whose 16S rDNA sequences have been determined previously by other workers can be placed in one of the five groups. In addition to the overall division based on 16S rDNA sequence homology data, the primary clusters and subgroups could be further defined by a number of positions in the 16S rDNAs that exhibited characteristic compositions, especially in the variable regions of the gene.