A bacterial parasite has observe to influence plant cell behaviour in a way that enhances its own transmission through sap-feeding insects. This adaptation alters plant responses. It was observe that it attracts female insects to males already present, which promotes the parasite’s survival.
The discovery highlights a unique interaction among plants, bacteria, and insects, with significant implications for understanding how pathogens manipulate host biology for their benefit.
As per study, phytoplasmas, bacterial pathogens responsible for plant diseases, rely on effector proteins to facilitate transmission via leafhoppers.
This research focus on SAP54, a virulence protein known to induce leaf-like flower structures on infect plants.
It was reveal that SAP54 affects the feeding and reproductive behaviour of leafhoppers in a sex-dependent manner.
Dr. Zigmunds Orlovskis, an independent project leader at the Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, explain that previous research had shown leafhoppers were drawn to infect plants, but the mechanisms behind this attraction were unclear.
Recent findings suggest that male leafhoppers play a key role in this interaction.
Experiments demonstrate that SAP54-alter plants host more leafhopper offspring, but only in the presence of males.
Female leafhoppers exhibit increase feeding activity on SAP54 plants when males were present but show no preference otherwise.
Further investigations indicate that smell and sound did not influence the behaviour, leading researchers to focus on genetic changes in the plants.
As per reports, it was find that SAP54 suppress the plant’s defence mechanisms, particularly when expose to male leafhoppers.
This suppression was link to a transcription factor, SHORT VEGETATIVE PHASE (SVP), which appeare crucial for attracting females to male-colonise plants.
Professor Saskia Hogenhout, Group Leader at the John Innes Centre, said that the findings illustrate the parasite’s ability to manipulate host and vector interactions, enhancing its life cycle efficiency.
The study underscores the complexity of plant-pathogen-insect relationships and provides new insights into the strategies employe by parasites for survival and propagation.
