Gene expression and control mechanisms of the plant mycoplasmas

植物支原体是寄生在植物细胞质中并通过昆虫媒介传播的植物病原菌。在所有已知的微生物中，它们是细胞大小和基因组大小最小的。本研究旨在阐明植物支原体寄主决定的分子机制，并建立植物支原体基因导入细菌体系。预计这一结果将有助于控制这种对600多种植物造成严重损害的病原体。

Plant mycoplasmas (phytoplasmas) are plant pathogenic bacteria inhabiting in the plant cell cytoplasm and transmitted by insect vectors. Among all known microorganisms, they are the smallest in cell size and in genome size. This study was performed to elucidate molecular mechanisms of host determination of plant mycoplasmas and to established a system for gene introduction into the bacteria. The results are expected to contribute to the control of this pathogen which causes serious damage to more than 600 plant species.