A meta-analysis approach to identify putative candidate genes involved in susceptibility and resilience to Xylella fastidiosa in olive

Xylella fastidiosa, a xylem-limited bacterium, infections in olive cause devastating effects on olive groves in Italy (Apulia region). These infections result in significant economic losses due to reduced olive productivity and increased plant mortality, and it is feared in all the Mediterranean countries where olive is cultivated. The impact of X. fastidiosa on olive groves extends beyond agricultural losses to encompass economic consequences for the European olive industry. Besides investigating the impact of X. fastidiosa on olive trees, this study aims to identify the adverse effects of this bacterium on other fruit bearing trees (Vitis vinifera, Prunus dulcis). The investigation employs RNA-Seq, a high-throughput sequencing technique, to understand the molecular response of plants to Xylella fastidiosa infection by providing valuable insights into the complex interactions between the bacterium and the host plant at the transcriptomic level. Through the literature surveyed, four papers investigating the infection of Xylella fastidiosa in two olive cultivars (the low susceptible ‘Leccino’ and the high susceptible ‘Ogliarola salentina’), Prunus dulcis, Vitis vinifera and Medicago sativa were identified. A bioinformatics pipeline was developed for meta-analysis, enabling the identification of commonly shared genes and unique genes. Gene ontology (GO) analysis was employed to unravel the biological significance and roles of the genes of interest, elucidating their potential involvement in specific biological pathways or molecular functions.