insights about xylella
Biology, genetics and pathogenicity of XF
Xylella fastidiosa (Xf) is a xylem-limited, plant-pathogenic bacterium with a wide host range. Processes leading to plant colonization and the specific mechanisms leading to disease are poorly understood yet.
Although a study investigating the mechanisms of host plant specificity experimentally showed that cell-cell signaling-based gene regulation system was associated with host specificity, the target candidate loci could not be identified and therefore the question remains largely open.
Thus, there is high uncertainty with regard to the potential host range of Xf in the European flora as a wide range of European wild plant species have never been exposed to the bacterium and it is not known whether they would be hosts, and, if so, whether they would develop symptoms.
To this end, the importance of experimental work to determine the host range of pathogens remains paramount to demonstrate that individual genotypes are pathogenic to specific host plant species. Large dataset of genomic sequences will be cooperatively developed within this project, to gather critical elements to understand the evolution of the population in the contaminated areas, and to identify critical parameters involved in Xf-host interaction that could be used to design novel control methods.
Molecular characterization of EU Xf genotypes coupled with biological tests on host range and analysis of ecological parameters will be essential in the development of quarantine, containment, and control practices.
PROJECT PUBLICATIONS
VIEW ALLIs Xylella fastidiosa a serious threat to European forests?
Authors: Marie-Laure Desprez-Loustau, Yilmaz Balci, Daniele Cornara, Paolo Gonthier, Cécile Robin, Marie-Agnès Jacques. Publication: 6 August 2020 Abstract: The recent emergence of Olive Quick Decline Syndrome in Italy, caused by Xylella fastidiosa, has drawn...
A non-targeted metabolomics study on Xylella fastidiosa infected olive plants grown under controlled conditions
Authors: Asmae Jlilat, Rosa Ragone, Stefania Gualano, Franco Santoro, Vito Gallo, Leonardo Varvaro, Piero Mastrorilli, Maria Saponari, Franco Nigro & Anna Maria D’Onghia. Publication: 13 January 2021 Abstract: In the last decade, the bacterial pathogen Xylella...
Development of A Nested-MultiLocus Sequence Typing Approach for A Highly Sensitive and Specific Identification of Xylella fastidiosa Subspecies Directly from Plant Samples
Authors: Cesbron, S.; Dupas, E.; Beaurepère, Q.; Briand, M.; Montes-Borrego, M.; Velasco-Amo, M.P.; Landa, B.B.; Jacques, M.-A. Publication: 29 July 2020 Abstract: Identification of sequence types (ST) of Xylella fastidiosa based on direct MultiLocus Sequence Typing...
FEATURED BIBLIOGRAPHY
VIEW ALLFrom Nucleotides to Satellite Imagery: Approaches to Identify and Manage the Invasive Pathogen Xylella fastidiosa and Its Insect Vectors in Europe
Authors: Francesca Raffini; Giorgio Bertorelle; Roberto Biello; Guido D’Urso; Danilo Russo; Luciano Bosso. Published: 2 June 2020 Abstract: Biological invasions represent some of the most severe threats to local communities and ecosystems. Among invasive species, the...
Whole Genome Sequence of Xylella fastidiosa ATCC 35879T and Detection of Genome Rearrangements Within Subsp. fastidiosa
Authors: J. Chen; M. O’Leary; L. Burbank; Z. Zheng & X. Deng. Posted: March 16, 2020. Abstract: Xylella fastidiosa is a Gram-negative and nutritionally fastidious bacterial pathogen causing Pierce’s disease (PD) of grapevine and other plant diseases. X....
Detection of a Single-copy Plasmid, pXFSL21in Xylella fastidiosa Strain Stag’s Leap with Two Toxin-Antitoxin Systems Using Next Generation Sequencing
Authors: Christopher Van Horn; Fengnian Wu; Zheng Zheng; Zehan Dai; Jianchi Chen Published online: November 2018 Source: APS Journals. Abstract: Plasmids are important genetic elements contributing to bacterial evolution and environmental adaptation. Xylella...