Functional analysis of phytoplasma effectors in Vitis vinifera pathogenesis

The aim of the experiment was to identify important protein targets of phytoplasma infection, by isolation of plant proteins, interacting with phytoplasma effectors. Nicotiana benthamiana plants were transformed with YFP (Yellow Fluorescent Protein) tagged phytoplasma effector PoStoSP28, the leaves of transformed plants were homogenized and the effector was extracted together with its interactors through the YFP tag with a pull-down assay. As a control, the same procedure was performed with mock transformed plants and the samples analyzed with mass spectrometry.