Potential mobile units drive the horizontal transfer of phytoplasma effector phyllogen genes

• DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1132432
• Publication Date: 2023-05-11T11:17:34Z
• Authors: Ryosuke Tokuda; Nozomu Iwabuchi; Yugo Kitazawa; Takamichi Nijo; Masato Suzuki; Kensaku Maejima; Kenro Oshima; Shigetou Namba; Yasuyuki Yamaji
• Keywords: Phyllody; Phytoplasma; Horizontal Gene Transfer; Synteny; Obligate

Phytoplasmas are obligate intracellular plant pathogenic bacteria that can induce phyllody, which is a type of abnormal floral organ development. possess phyllogens, effector proteins cause phyllody in plants. Phylogenetic comparisons phyllogen and 16S rRNA genes have suggested undergo horizontal transfer between phytoplasma species strains. However, the mechanisms evolutionary implications this gene unclear. Here, we analyzed synteny flanking genomic regions from 17 strains were related to six ‘ Candidatus ’ species, including three newly sequenced study. Many phyllogens flanked by multicopy within potential mobile units (PMUs), putative transposable elements found phytoplasmas. The exhibited two distinct patterns correlated with linked . low level sequence identities partial truncations among these indicate PMU sequences deteriorating, whereas highly conserved functions (e.g., inducing phyllody) suggest latter important for fitness. Furthermore, although their similar, PMUs Ca P. asteris’ often located different genome. These findings strongly drive insights improve our understanding how symptom-determinant been shared