The "Recovery" phenomenon in Grapevine (Vitis vinifera) cv. Chardonnay infected by "Bois Noir" phytoplasma: investigation of proteome modifications by 2DE and Western Blot analysis

The grapevine (Vitis vinifera) disease caused by Bois Noir (BN) phytoplasma, a plant phloem-limited pathogens belonging to the class Mollicutes, is an important concern to European vinery economy. Phytoplasmas have a broad range of plant hosts among monocots and dicots and diseases of many important crops have already been associated with these pathogens. Leaf curling and discoloration, uneven or total lack of lignification of canes, flower abortion and berry withering are the typical symptoms of phytoplasma infection in grapevine. An interesting aspect of the pathogen–plant interaction is “recovery” phenomenon, a spontaneous remission of symptoms in previously symptomatic plants. In this study, we are using 2-DE and Western Blot analysis to explore the proteome changes in leaves and midribs of V. vinifera cv. 'Chardonnay' naturally infected by BN, with particular attention to recovered plants.