How a pathogen turns flowers into leaves
Researchers have discovered how a bacterial protein disrupts plant development, causing flowers to transform into leaf-like structures. This pathogen, transmitted by insects, poses a significant threat to global agriculture as climate change expands the range of its vectors.
Why it matters
Understanding the molecular mechanisms of this plant disease is critical for developing strategies to protect food security against crop losses caused by climate-driven pest migration.
by European Synchrotron Radiation Facility
edited by Gaby Clark , reviewed by Robert Egan
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:
Add as preferred source Normal Arabidopsis flower versus Arabidopsis flower when phyllogen is present. Credit: Chloe Zubieta Scientists have found how a protein produced by bacteria disrupts the mechanism that controls flower development in plants, turning reproductive organs into leaf-like structures. These findings shed light on a plant disease that is expected to spread as climate change expands the range of its insect vectors in northern latitudes. They used a synchrotron technique at ESRF, the European Synchrotron in Grenoble, France. The results are an Editor's Pick in the Journal of Biological Chemistry .
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