Parasitic bacteria have learned to turn plants into “zombies”

Over the years, scientists have found several examples of various organisms parasitizing others. IN

in the process it loses independent control overown existence. One of the most impressive examples is the work of fungi from the genus Ophiocordyceps, which control the body of tropical ants, turning them into “zombies.”

In a new study, scientists found thatParasitic bacteria from the genus Phytoplasma have a similar effect, only on plants. The action of microbes causes serious disruptions in development, most of which result in plants stopping blooming and bearing fruit. They get stuck in their “childhood” age.

The bacterial protein SAP05 is responsible for this.Its bacteria produce it in large quantities, and then it enters the plant tissues and cells. It interferes with the functioning of the structures that are responsible for processing protein “garbage”.

As a result, the plant begins to destroynot only damaged molecules, but also reduce the activity of the most important signals that are responsible for stopping growth and the transition to flowering and fruiting. Because of this, the plant falls into “eternal childhood” and begins to spend all its resources on the growth of new leaves and shoots, actually becoming a “zombie”, submitting to the will of the bacterium.

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