The Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology's weekly Plant Pathology 250 seminar series is presented this week by Dr. Chien Yu Huang, Postdoctoral Scholar from UC Riverside

Seminar Title: “Combating citrus HLB and potato ZC using a citrus-derived antimicrobial peptides”

Abstract:

Candidatus Liberibacter species are the causal agent of disaster disease for several crops. Huanglongbing (HLB) currently is the most devastating citrus disease associated with CLas which is vectored by Asian citrus psyllid (ACP). Another important disease, potato zebra chip (ZC), is caused by CLso which is vectored by the potato psyllid. Despite extensive efforts and research, there is still no efficient disease management for HLB or potato ZC. Small RNAs is one of the regulators of reprogramming gene expression in plant defense response. Through small RNA comparative analysis between HLB-tolerant and susceptible varieties, we identify the important regulatory components of host natural defense against HLB. In our candidate regulators, we identified a novel class of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), SAMP, which is highly stable under high temperature and resistant to proteolysis. These plant endogenous SAMPs from HLB-tolerant/resistant citrus or close relatives have dual functions, which can effectively inhibit/kill _C_Las in HLB-positive citrus trees, and also induce citrus defense responses that could against future CLas infection. SAMP has the potential to be developed as HLB or potato ZC management tools.