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mycoplasma-like organism

life-form
Also known as: MLB, MLO, mycoplasma-like body

Quick Summary

The term "mycoplasma-like organism" (MLO) is now referred to as a phytoplasma. Phytoplasmas are a group of bacteria related to mycoplasmas that cause plant diseases, such as aster yellows and elm yellows. They infect the phloem tissue of plants and are transmitted by insect vectors.1

Previously, plant pathologists mistakenly believed phytoplasmas were viruses. A key characteristic of these organisms is their lack of a cell wall; their outer boundary is a cytoplasmic membrane. This unique feature gives them unusual properties not found in most other bacteria. Phytoplasmas cannot currently be grown in artificial media, which has hindered efforts to fully understand their biology and genomes.12

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