Research Project: Genome-Based Strategies and Physiological Biomarkers for Detection and Identification of plant Pathogenic Phytoplasmas and Spiroplasmas

Location: Molecular Plant Pathology Laboratory

Publications (Clicking on the reprint icon will take you to the publication reprint.)

CRISPR/Cas12a-based diagnosis of potato purple top disease complex associated with infection by 'Candidatus Phytoplasma trifolii'-related strains - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Wheatley, M.S., Wang, Q., Wei, W., Bottner-Parker, K.D., Zhao, Y., Yang, Y. 2022. CRISPR/Cas12a-based diagnosis of potato purple top disease complex associated with infection by 'Candidatus Phytoplasma trifolii'-related strains. Plant Disease. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-09-21-2119-RE.

Revision of the `Candidatus Phytoplasma' species description guidelines - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Bertaccini, A., Arocha-Rosete, Y., Contaldo, N., Duduk, B., Fiore, N., Guglielmi Montano, H., Kube, M., Kuo, C., Martini, M., Oshima, K., Quaglino, F., Schneider, B., Wei, W., Zamorano, A. 2022. Revision of the `Candidatus Phytoplasma' species description guidelines. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. 72:005353. https://doi.org/10.1099/ijsem.0.005353.

Phytoplasma infection blocks starch breakdown and triggers autophagic degradation of chloroplasts, leading to premature leaf senescence, sucrose reallocation, and spatiotemporal redistribution of phytohormones - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Wei, W., Inaba, J., Zhao, Y., Mowery, J.D., Hammond, R. 2022. Phytoplasma infection blocks starch breakdown and triggers autophagic degradation of chloroplasts, leading to premature leaf senescence, sucrose reallocation, and spatiotemporal redistribution of phytohormones. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 23(3):1810. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23031810.

New genetically distinct phytoplasmas and insect carriers associated with pine tree disease revealed by a survey in Curonian Spit, Lithuania - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Ivanauskas, A., Valiunas, D., Rimsaite, J., Danilovas, J., Söderman, G., Šneideris, D., Genovaite Žižyte-Eid, M., Wei, W. 2022. New genetically distinct phytoplasmas and insect carriers associated with pine tree disease revealed by a survey in Curonian Spit, Lithuania. Canadian Journal of Forest Research. 52(2): 201-208. https://doi.org/10.1139/cjfr-2021-0152.

Molecular identification and characterization of `Candidatus Phytoplasma convolvuli'-related strains (representing a new 16SrXII-O subgroup) associated with papaya bunchy top disease in Nigeria - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Kazeem,Shakiru,A, Inaba, J., Zhao, Y., Zwolinska, A., Ogunfunmilayo, A.O., Arogundade, A., Wei, W. 2021. Molecular identification and characterization of `Candidatus Phytoplasma convolvuli'-related strains (representing a new 16SrXII-O subgroup) associated with papaya bunchy top disease in Nigeria. Crop Protection Journal. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cropro.2021.105731.

Growth inhibition of phytopathogenic spiroplasmas by membrane-interactive antimicrobial peptides Novispirin T7 and Caerin 1.1 - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Wei, W., Davis, R., Mowery, J.D., Zhao, Y. 2021. Growth inhibition of phytopathogenic spiroplasmas by membrane-interactive antimicrobial peptides Novispirin T7 and Caerin 1.1. Annals of Applied Biology. https://doi.org/10.1111/aab.12715.

Identification of phytoplasmas representing multiple new genetic lineages from phloem-feeding leafhoppers highlights the diversity of phytoplasmas and their potential vectors - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Wei, W., Trivellone, V., Dietrich, C.H., Zhao, Y., Bottner-Parker, K.D., Ivanauskas, A. 2021 Identification of phytoplasmas representing multiple new genetic lineages from phloem-feeding leafhoppers highlights the diversity of phytoplasmas and their potential vectors Pathogens. 10(3):352. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens10030352.

Screening potential insect vectors in a museum biorepository reveals undiscovered diversity of plant pathogens in natural areas - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Trivellone, V., Wei, W., Dietrich, C.H., Filippin, L. 2021 Screening potential insect vectors in a museum biorepository reveals undiscovered diversity of plant pathogens in natural areas Ecology and Evolution 10.1002/ece3.7502. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.7502

Integration of metabolomics and existing omics data reveals new insights into phytoplasma-induced metabolic reprogramming in host plants - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Tan, Y., Li, Q., Zhao, Y., Wei, H., Wang, J., Baker, C.J., Liu, Q., Wei, W. 2021 Integration of metabolomics and existing omics data reveals new insights into phytoplasma-induced metabolic reprogramming in host plants PLoS ONE. 16:e0246203. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0246203.

The agent associated with blue dwarf disease in wheat represents a new phytoplasma taxon, 'Candidatus Phytoplasma tritici' - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Zhao, Y., Wei, W., Davis, R.E., Lee, I., Bottner-Parker, K.D. 2021. The agent associated with blue dwarf disease in wheat represents a new phytoplasma taxon, 'Candidatus Phytoplasma tritici'. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. 71:(1). https://doi.org/10.1099/ijsem.0.004604.

Induction of apoplast phenolics in pepper (Capsicum annum) leaves in response to pathogenic bacteria - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Baker, C.J., Smith, J.M., Yarberry, A.J., Rice, C. 2020. Induction of apoplast phenolics in pepper (Capsicum annum) leaves in response to pathogenic bacteria. Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology. 109/101453. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmpp.2019.101453.

Multi-locus genotyping reveals new molecular markers for differentiating distinct genetic lineages among 'Candidatus Phytoplasma solani' strains associated with grapevine bois noir - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Passera, A., Zhao, Y., Murolo, S., Pierro, R., Arsov, E., Mori, N., Moussa, A., Silletti, M.R., Casati, P., Panattoni, A., Wei, W., Mitrev, S., Materazzi, A., Luvisi, A., Romanazzi, G., Bianco, P.A., Davis, R.E., Quaglino, F. 2020. Multi-locus genotyping reveals new molecular markers for differentiating distinct genetic lineages among 'Candidatus Phytoplasma solani' strains associated with grapevine bois noir. Pathogens. 2020 9:(11)970 https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens9110970.

Candidatus Phytoplasma trifolii - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Zhao, Y., Wei, W. 2020. Candidatus Phytoplasma trifolii. Center for Agriculture and Biosciences International (CABI) Invasive Species Compendium. https://doi.org/10.1079/ISC.40854.20210200691.

Apoplast redox metabolism: Effect of acetovanillone (apocynin) and acetosyringone, on their in vitro co-oxidation and redox properties - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Baker, C.J., Smith, J.M., Rice, C. 2020. Apoplast redox metabolism: Effect of acetovanillone (apocynin) and acetosyringone, on their in vitro co-oxidation and redox properties. Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology. 110:101481. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmpp.2020.101481.

Spatiotemporal dynamics and quantitative analysis of phytoplasmas in insect vectors - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Koinuma, H., Maejima, K., Tokuda, R., Kitazawa, Y., Nijo, T., Wei, W., Kumita, K., Miyazaki, A., Namba, S., Yamaji, Y. 2020. Spatiotemporal dynamics and quantitative analysis of phytoplasmas in insect vectors. Scientific Reports. 10:1-13. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-61042-x.

Draft genome sequence of `Candidatus Phytoplasma pini'-related strain MDPP: a resource for comparative genomics of gymnosperm-infecting phytoplasmas - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Cai, W., Shao, J.Y., Zhao, Y., Davis, R.E., Costanzo, S. 2020. Draft genome sequence of `Candidatus Phytoplasma pini'-related strain MDPP: a resource for comparative genomics of gymnosperm-infecting phytoplasmas. Plant Disease. 104/1009-1010. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-10-19-2127-A.

First report of bougainvillea floral bract proliferation disease in Cuba and its association with phytoplasmal infection - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Wei, W., Perez-Lopez, E., Zhao, Y. 2020. First report of bougainvillea floral bract proliferation disease in Cuba and its association with phytoplasmal infection. Plant Disease. 104/967. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-09-19-2052-PDN.

Rapid detection and identification of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma pini’-related strains in Lithuania based on genomic markers present in 16S rRNA and tuf genes - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Valiunas, D., Jomantiene, R., Ivanauskas, A., Sneideris, D., Zizyte-Eidetiene, M., Shao, J.Y., Zhao, Y., Costanzo, S., Davis, R.E. 2019. Rapid detection and identification of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma pini’-related strains in Lithuania based on genomic markers present in 16S rRNA and tuf genes. Forest Pathology. 49:e12553. https://doi.org/10.1111/efp.12553.

Recommended rejection of the recently proposed sweeping changes to nomenclature of members of the Mycoplasmatales - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Balish, M., Bertaccini, A., Blanchard, A., Brown, D., Browning, G., Chalker, V., Frey, J., Gasparich, G., Hoelzle, L., Zhao, Y. 2019. Recommended rejection of the recently proposed sweeping changes to nomenclature of members of the Mycoplasmatales. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. 69/3650-3653. https://doi.org/10.1099/ijsem.0.003632.

Phytoplasma inoculum titre and inoculation timing influence symptom development in newly infected plants - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Wei, W., Zhao, Y., Davis, R.E. 2019. Phytoplasma inoculum titre and inoculation timing influence symptom development in newly infected plants . Phytopathogenic Mollicutes. 9/115-116. https://doi.org/10.5958/2249-4677.2019.00058.6.

New symptoms identified in phytoplasma-infected plants reveal extra stages of pathogen-induced meristem fate-derailment - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Wei, W., Davis, R.E., Bauchan, G.R., Zhao, Y. 2019. New symptoms identified in phytoplasma-infected plants reveal extra stages of pathogen-induced meristem fate-derailment. Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions. https://doi.org/10.1094/MPMI-01-19-0035-R.

Transcriptome analysis reveals a complex array of differentially expressed genes accompanying a source-to-sink changes in phytoplasma-infected sweet cherry leaves - (Peer Reviewed Journal)

Complete genome sequence of Spiroplasma phoeniceum strain P40T, a plant pathogen isolated from diseased plants of Madagascar periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don) - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Davis, R.E., Shao, J.Y., Zhao, Y., Wei, W., Bottner-Parker, K.D., Silver, A.B., Stump, Z.A., Gasparich, G.E., Donofrio, N. 2019. Complete genome sequence of Spiroplasma phoeniceum strain P40T, a plant pathogen isolated from diseased plants of Madagascar periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don). Microbiology Resource Announcements. https://doi.org/10.1128/MRA.01612-18.

Redox- and bio-activity of Apocynin (acetovanillone) in plants, a plant phenolic that alleviates - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Baker, C.J., Mock, N.M., Averyanov, A.A. 2019. Redox- and bio-activity of Apocynin (acetovanillone) in plants, a plant phenolic that alleviates. Free Radicals in Biology and Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmpp.2019.01.005.

Catharanthus roseus naturally infected with diverse phytoplasmas in Costa Rica - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Villalobos, W., Bottner-Parker, K.D., Lee, I., Albertazzi-Castro, F., Montero-Astua, M., Coto, T., Sandoval, I., Garita, L., Moreira, L. 2019. Catharanthus roseus naturally infected with diverse phytoplasmas in Costa Rica. Journal of Tropical Biology. 67:(1) pp. 321-336.

First report of sugarcane yellow leaf disease in Mexico and detection of `Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris'-related strains in affected plants - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Perez-Lopez, E., Wei, W., Davis, R.E., Wang, J., Zhao, Y. 2019. First report of sugarcane yellow leaf disease in Mexico and detection of `Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris'-related strains in affected plants. Plant Disease. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-09-18-1591-PDN.

First report of North American grapevine yellows (NAGY) in Kansas: Association of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma pruni’- and ‘Ca. Phytoplasma asteris’-related strains with the disease - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Davis, R.E., Dally, E.L., Zhao, Y., Webb, C., Appel, J.A. 2019. First report of North American grapevine yellows (NAGY) in Kansas: Association of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma pruni’- and ‘Ca. Phytoplasma asteris’-related strains with the disease. Plant Disease. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-05-18-0869-PDN.

Current status and future perspective of molecular marker-based identification, classification, and species delineation of phytoplasmas - (Abstract Only)

Plant stem cell pluripotency and phytoplasma-induced alterations of plant morphogenesis - (Abstract Only)

Immunodominant proteins of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma pruni’ and related strains classified in Group 16SrIII - (Abstract Only)

PCR-based sequence analysis on multiple genes other than 16S rRNA gene for differentiation of phytoplasmas - (Book / Chapter)
Martini, M., Bottner-Parker, K.D., Lee, I. 2018. PCR-based sequence analysis on multiple genes other than 16S rRNA gene for differentiation of phytoplasmas. In: Musetti, R., Pagliari, L. Phytoplasmas: Methods and Protocols. Basel, Switzerland: Springer. 1875:97-115.

Draft genome sequence of the New Jersey aster yellows strain of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris’ - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Sparks, M., Bottner-Parker, K.D., Gundersen, D.E., Lee, I. 2018. Draft genome sequence of the New Jersey aster yellows strain of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris’. PLoS One. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0192379.

Multilocus genotyping identifies a highly homogeneous phytoplasma lineage associated with sweet cherry virescence disease in China and its carriage by an erythroneurine leafhopper - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Wang, J., Liu, Q., Wei, W., Davis, R.E., Tan, Y., Lee, I., Zhu, D., Wei, H., Zhao, Y. 2018. Multilocus genotyping identifies a highly homogeneous phytoplasma lineage associated with sweet cherry virescence disease in China and its carriage by an erythroneurine leafhopper. Crop Protection. 106:13-22.

Relationship of bacterial growth and chemical events in the leaf apoplast during susceptible and resistant interactions - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Baker, C.J., Mock, N.M., Averyanov, A.A. 2017. Relationship of bacterial growth and chemical events in the leaf apoplast during susceptible and resistant interactions . Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology. 102:17-23. 10.1016/j.pmpp.2017.11.005.

Relationship of bacterial growth and chemical events in the leaf apoplast during susceptible and resistant interactions - (Abstract Only)
Baker, C.J., Mock, N.M., Averyanov, A.A. 2017. Relationship of bacterial growth and chemical events in the leaf apoplast during susceptible and resistant interactions. Free Radicals in Biology and Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmpp.2017.11.005.