Schwarz, Timothy

It was shown that the SAP11 effector of different Candidatus Phytoplasma can destabilize some TEOSINE BRANCHES/CYCLOIDEA/PROLIFERATING CELL FACTORs (TCPs), resulting in plant phenotypes such as witches’ broom and crinkled leaves. Some SAP11 exclusively localize in the nucleus, while the others localize in the cytoplasm and the nucleus. The SAP11-like effector of Candidatus Phytoplasma mali strain PM19 (SAP11PM19) localizes in both compartments of plant cells. We show here that SAP11PM19 can destabilize TCPs in both the nucleus and the cytoplasm. However, expression of SAP11PM19 exclusively in the nucleus resulted in the disappearance of leaf phenotypes while still showing the witches’ broom phenotype. Moreover, we show that SAP11PM19 can not only destabilize TCPs but also relocalizes these proteins in the nucleus. Interestingly, three different transgenic Nicotiana species expressing SAP11PM19 show all the same witches’ broom phenotype but different leaf phenotypes. A possible mechanism of SAP11-TCP interaction is discussed.

SAP11 is an effector protein that has been identified in various phytoplasma species. It localizes in the plant nucleus and can bind and destabilize TEOSINE BRANCHES/CYCLOIDEA/PROLIFERATING CELL FACTOR (TCP) transcription factors. Although SAP11 of different phytoplasma species share similar activities, their protein sequences differ greatly. Here, we demonstrate that the SAP11-like protein of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma mali’ (‘Ca. P. mali’) strain PM19 localizes into the plant nucleus without requiring the anticipated nuclear localization sequence (NLS). We show that the protein induces crinkled leaves and siliques, and witches’ broom symptoms, in transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana (A. thaliana) plants and binds to six members of class I and all members of class II TCP transcription factors of A. thaliana in yeast two-hybrid assays. We also identified a 17 amino acid stretch previously predicted to be a nuclear localization sequence that is important for the binding of some of the TCPs, which results in a crinkled leaf and silique phenotype in transgenic A. thaliana. Moreover, we provide evidence that the SAP11-like protein has a destabilizing effect on some TCPs in vivo.

AbstractThe plant pathogen ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma mali’ (‘Ca. P. mali’) is the causing agent of apple proliferation that leads to heavy damage in apple production all over Europe. To identify and analyze effector proteins of plant pathogens is an important strategy in plant disease research. Here, we report that the SAP11-like protein of ‘Ca. P. mali’ induces crinkled leaves and siliques and witches’ broom symptoms in transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana (A. thaliana) plants and binds to 6 members of class I and all members of class II TCP (TEOSINE BRANCHES/ CYCLOIDEA/PROLIFERATING CELL FACTOR) transcription factors of A. thaliana in yeast two-hybrid assays. Moreover, we demonstrate that the protein localizes actively into the plant nucleus without requiring the nuclear leader sequence (NLS). We also identified a 17 amino acid stretch previously predicted to be a nuclear leader sequence that is important for the binding of some of the TCPs and also responsible for the crinkled leaf and silique phenotype in transgenic A. thaliana.