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Science 5 May 1972:
Vol. 176. no. 4034, pp. 521 - 523
DOI: 10.1126/science.176.4034.521
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Articles

Helical Filaments Produced by a Mycoplasma-Like Organism Associated with Corn Stunt Disease

Robert E. Davis 1, Joseph F. Worley 1, Robert F. Whitcomb 1, Takashi Ishijima 1, and Russell L. Steere 1

1 Plant Science Research Division, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, Maryland 20705

Mycoplasma-like bodies with helical filaments were seen by phase contrast microscopy in juice expressed from tissues of plants infected with corn stunt agent. Each filament is bounded by a "unit membrane" and no cell wall, sheath, envelope, or second membrane has yet been discerned by electron microscopy. The association of these filaments with development of disease, their occurrence in phloem cells as seen by both freeze-etching and thin-section electron microscopy, the diagnosis of infection based on their presence in plants without symptoms, and their absence in noninfected corn are consistent with the hypothesis that these unusual filaments are formed by the mycoplasma-like organism presumed to be the corn stunt agent.


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Phylogenetic positions of 'Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris' and Spiroplasma kunkelii as inferred from multiple sets of concatenated core housekeeping proteins.
Y. Zhao, R. E. Davis, and I.-M. Lee (2005)
Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 55, 2131-2141
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
The genus Spiroplasma and its non-helical descendants: phylogenetic classification, correlation with phenotype and roots of the Mycoplasma mycoides clade.
G. E. Gasparich, R. F. Whitcomb, D. Dodge, F. E. French, J. Glass, and D. L. Williamson (2004)
Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 54, 893-918
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Corn Stunt Spiroplasma: Isolation, Cultivation, and Proof of Pathogenicity.
T. A. Chen and C. H. Liao (1975)
Science 188, 1015-1017
   Abstract »    PDF »
Plant Mycoplasmas: A Cultivable Spiroplasma Causes Corn Stunt Disease.
D. L. Williamson and R. F. Whitcomb (1975)
Science 188, 1018-1020
   Abstract »    PDF »
Spiroplasmas and Acholeplasmas: Multiplication in Insects.
R. F. Whitcomb, J. G. Tully, J. M. Bove, and P. Saglio (1973)
Science 182, 1251-1253
   Abstract »    PDF »
Plant Mycoplasmas: Serological Relation between Agents Associated with Citrus Stubborn and Corn Stunt Diseases.
J. G. Tully, R. F. Whitcomb, J. M. Bove, and P. Saglio (1973)
Science 182, 827-829
   Abstract »    PDF »


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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)