Genome-reduced, wall-less, and fastidious bacteria of the genera Spiroplasma, Mycoplasma, Phytoplasma and allies belonging to the class Mollicutes, are known for a number of unique microbiological features, which have prompted researchers to investigate their basic, applied, and medical aspects. They are mostly parasitic or symbiotic to a variety of animals and plants, living on or within the eukaryotic cells. Spiroplasmas, recognized by their characteristic spiral shape and active twitching motility, are associated with insects and/or plants. S. poulsonii causes remarkable reproductive phenotype, called male-killing, of their insect hosts. S. citri and S. kunkelii are notorious as devastating pathogens of citrus and maize, respectively. Mycoplasmas are not only medically important as human and animal pathogens like M. pneumoniae and M. genitalium, but also intensively investigated as minimal-genome bacterial models. Microbial genome synthesis and engineering technologies have been developed mainly on M. mycoides and M. capricolum. Some mycoplasmas are known for their capability of unique gliding motility. Phytoplasmas are obligatorily parasitic to plant phloem tissues and vectored by plant-sucking insects, often causing spectacular plant phenotypes like phyllody, virescence, witch’s broom, etc.
While the conventional studies have revealed fascinating aspects of this bizarre bacterial group, mainly due to their reluctance to in vitro cultivation, the whole picture of their diversity and versatility has long been elusive. However, owing to the recent development and availability of high-throughput DNA sequencing technologies, our knowledge on the diversity of such fastidious microbes in a variety of environments is growing rapidly. Here, we propose the research topic “Spiroplasma, Mycoplasma, Phytoplasma, and Other Genome-Reduced and Wall-Less Mollicutes: Their Genetics, Genomics, Mechanics, Interactions and Symbiosis with Insects, Other Animals and Plants” to provide an opportunity to compile and overview the new information emerging in this research field.
Scientifically sound, solid and competent submissions of high quality on spiroplasmas, mycoplasmas, phytoplasmas and allied mollicutes are very welcome. Meanwhile, we note that purely therapeutic, medical or agricultural contributions with little microbiological, ecological or evolutionary relevance will not be considered. Also it is noted that descriptive studies based on amplicon profiles (e.g. 16S rRNA gene) lacking a clear hypothesis and/or failing to provide new microbiological insights will be regarded as out of scope.
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
Genome-reduced, wall-less, and fastidious bacteria of the genera Spiroplasma, Mycoplasma, Phytoplasma and allies belonging to the class Mollicutes, are known for a number of unique microbiological features, which have prompted researchers to investigate their basic, applied, and medical aspects. They are mostly parasitic or symbiotic to a variety of animals and plants, living on or within the eukaryotic cells. Spiroplasmas, recognized by their characteristic spiral shape and active twitching motility, are associated with insects and/or plants. S. poulsonii causes remarkable reproductive phenotype, called male-killing, of their insect hosts. S. citri and S. kunkelii are notorious as devastating pathogens of citrus and maize, respectively. Mycoplasmas are not only medically important as human and animal pathogens like M. pneumoniae and M. genitalium, but also intensively investigated as minimal-genome bacterial models. Microbial genome synthesis and engineering technologies have been developed mainly on M. mycoides and M. capricolum. Some mycoplasmas are known for their capability of unique gliding motility. Phytoplasmas are obligatorily parasitic to plant phloem tissues and vectored by plant-sucking insects, often causing spectacular plant phenotypes like phyllody, virescence, witch’s broom, etc.
While the conventional studies have revealed fascinating aspects of this bizarre bacterial group, mainly due to their reluctance to in vitro cultivation, the whole picture of their diversity and versatility has long been elusive. However, owing to the recent development and availability of high-throughput DNA sequencing technologies, our knowledge on the diversity of such fastidious microbes in a variety of environments is growing rapidly. Here, we propose the research topic “Spiroplasma, Mycoplasma, Phytoplasma, and Other Genome-Reduced and Wall-Less Mollicutes: Their Genetics, Genomics, Mechanics, Interactions and Symbiosis with Insects, Other Animals and Plants” to provide an opportunity to compile and overview the new information emerging in this research field.
Scientifically sound, solid and competent submissions of high quality on spiroplasmas, mycoplasmas, phytoplasmas and allied mollicutes are very welcome. Meanwhile, we note that purely therapeutic, medical or agricultural contributions with little microbiological, ecological or evolutionary relevance will not be considered. Also it is noted that descriptive studies based on amplicon profiles (e.g. 16S rRNA gene) lacking a clear hypothesis and/or failing to provide new microbiological insights will be regarded as out of scope.
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
