robing the Application of OmpA-Derived Peptides to Disrupt the Acquisition of `Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus' by Diaphorina citr

Author(s)

Merfa, Marcus Vinicius ^{[1, 2]} ; Fischer, Eduarda Regina ^[2] ; Silva, Mariana de Souza E. ^[2] ; Francisco, Carolina Sardinha ^{[2, 3, 4]} ; Della Coletta-Filho, Helvecio ^[2] ; de Souza, Alessandra Alves ^[2]

Affiliation

^[1] Auburn Univ, Dept Entomol & Plant Pathol, Auburn, AL 36849 - USA

^[2] Inst Agron IAC, Ctr Citricultura Sylvio Moreira, BR-13490970 Cordeiropolis, SP - Brazil

^[3] Christian Albrechts Univ Kiel, Environm Genom Grp, Kiel - Germany

^[4] Max Planck Inst Evolutionary Biol, Environm Genom Grp, Plon - Germany

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: PHYTOPATHOLOGY; v. 112, n. 1, p. 163-172, JAN 2022.
• Web of Science Citations: 1

Abstract

Huanglongbing (HLB) is currently the most devastating disease of citrus worldwide. Both bacteria `Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus' (CLas) and `Candidatus Liberibacter americanus' (CLam) are associated with HLB in Brazil but with a strong prevalence of CLas over CLam. Conventionally, HLB management focuses on controlling the insect vector population (Diaphorina citri; also known as Asian citrus psyllid {[}ACP]) by spraying insecticides, an approach demonstrated to be mostly ineffective. Thus, development of novel, more efficient HLB control strategies is required. The multifunctional bacterial outer membrane protein OmpA is involved in several molecular processes between bacteria and their hosts and has been suggested as a target for bacterial control. Curiously, OmpA is absent in CLam in comparison with CLas, suggesting a possible role in host interaction. Therefore, in the current study, we have treated ACPs with different OmpA-derived peptides, aiming to evaluate acquisition of CLas by the insect vector. Treatment of psyllids with 5 mu M of Pep1, Pep3, Pep5, and Pep6 in artificial diet significantly reduced the acquisition of CLas, whereas increasing the concentration of Pep5 and Pep6 to 50 mu M abolished this process. In addition, in planta treatment with 50 mu M of Pep6 also significantly decreased the acquisition of CLas, and sweet orange plants stably absorbed and maintained this peptide for as long as 3 months post the final application. Together, our results demonstrate the promising use of OmpA-derived peptides as a novel biotechnological tool to control CLas. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/10957-0 - Xylella fastidiosa-vector-host plant interaction and approaches for citrus variegated chlorosis and citrus canker control
• Grantee: Alessandra Alves de Souza
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants