Preliminary proteomic analysis of pear leaves in response to pear decline phytoplasma infection

Pear decline (PD) phytoplasma, newly denominated as ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma pyri’, belongs to the apple proliferation (AP) group and causes serious diseases in Pyrus communis fruiting cultivars in many areas around the world. It induces two types of symptoms, depending on the rootstock: ‘slow’ decline occurs on trees with tolerant or resistant rootstocks; ‘quick’ decline occurs on trees with sensitive rootstocks. The most common symptoms are leaf curl and a premature reddening and loss of foliage in the autumn. To better understand the pathogen-stress response of pear (Pyrus communis L.) to PD phytoplasma, we have initiated a comparative proteomic analysis of infected and healthy pear leaves. The proteins so far identified are mainly involved in carbohydrate metabolism and photosynthesis.