Transcriptome profiling of Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus in citrus and psyllids
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ABSTRACT: Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (Las) is an emergent bacterial pathogen associated with the devastating citrus Huanglongbing (HLB), also known as the greening disease. Vectored by the Asian Citrus Psyllid (Diaphorina citri), Las colonizes the phloem tissue of citrus. So far, efforts of cultivating Las in vitro have not been successful and dual-transcriptome analyses could only detect ~100 Las genes due to the low abundance of bacterial RNA in infected citrus/psyllid tissues. Therefore, the biology of this pathogen is poorly understood. Here, we established a procedure to enrich Las RNA for transcriptome analysis in order to obtain insights into the interactions of Las with its two hosts. We were able to confidently determine the expression profiles of >400 Las genes, including 106 that were differentially expressed between citrus and psyllids. Genes related to transcription/translation and defense were found to be upregulated in citrus; whereas genes upregulated in psyllids are involved in metabolic pathways related to tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. Genes encoding the succinate dehydrogenase and NADH quinone oxidoreductase complexes, as well as the flagellar system are also expressed to higher levels in psyllids. We also analyzed the relative expression levels of Sec-delivered effectors, which are considered key virulence factors of Las. This work advances our understanding of the HLB biology and offers novel insight into the HLB pathogenesis.
ORGANISM(S): Diaphorina citri Citrus x paradisi Citrus macrophylla
PROVIDER: GSE180624 | GEO | 2021/09/01
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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