Abstract
Asian citrus psyllid
D
iaphorina citri
is the vector of the citrus
H
uanglongbing (
HLB
) associated bacterial agent ‘
C
andidatus
L
iberibacter asiaticus’ (
C
L
as). The molecular interactions between
C
L
as and
D
. citri
remain unclear. In the present study, protein profiles of mitochondrial, microsomal and cytosolic fractions from uninfected and
C
Las‐infected adult
D
. citri
are investigated using two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis. The comparative analysis reveals a total of 18, 24 and 20 protein spots that are unique or differentially expressed in mitochondrial, microsomal and cytosolic proteins fractions respectively. These proteins are successfully identified by mass spectrometry. Among the 62 identified proteins, 30 are up‐regulated, whereas 32 are down‐regulated. These proteins include important components in energy metabolism such as
ATP
synthase,
ATP
ase,
ATP
/
ADP
carrier protein, etc.; host stress responses such as heat shock proteins; host detoxification processes (i.e., cytochrome
P
450 and glutathione
S
‐transferase); and the cytoskeleton (such as actin, tubulin, myosin and tropomyosin). These data suggest that, after
C
L
as infection, several proteins of
D
. citri
, especially energy metabolism and protein biosynthesis, are altered, and extensive host defence responses are induced. In conclusion, the present study reports proteomic information that is helpful in understanding the vector–pathogen relationship between
C
L
as and
D
. citri
, and could be used to identify potential targets for limiting the spread of
C
L
as, as well as to provide new insights into
HLB
management.