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Ma C, Wang J, Gao Y, Dong X, Feng H, Yang M, Yu Y, Liu C, Wu X, Qi Z, Mur LAJ, Magne K, Zou J, Hu Z, Tian Z, Su C, Ratet P, Chen Q, Xin D. The type III effector NopL interacts with GmREM1a and GmNFR5 to promote symbiosis in soybean. Nat Commun 2024; 15:5852. [PMID: 38992018 PMCID: PMC11239682 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-50228-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
The establishment of symbiotic interactions between leguminous plants and rhizobia requires complex cellular programming activated by Rhizobium Nod factors (NFs) as well as type III effector (T3E)-mediated symbiotic signaling. However, the mechanisms by which different signals jointly affect symbiosis are still unclear. Here we describe the mechanisms mediating the cross-talk between the broad host range rhizobia Sinorhizobium fredii HH103 T3E Nodulation Outer Protein L (NopL) effector and NF signaling in soybean. NopL physically interacts with the Glycine max Remorin 1a (GmREM1a) and the NFs receptor NFR5 (GmNFR5) and promotes GmNFR5 recruitment by GmREM1a. Furthermore, NopL and NF influence the expression of GmRINRK1, a receptor-like kinase (LRR-RLK) ortholog of the Lotus RINRK1, that mediates NF signaling. Taken together, our work indicates that S. fredii NopL can interact with the NF signaling cascade components to promote the symbiotic interaction in soybean.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Ma
- College of Agriculture, National Key Laboratory of Smart Farm Technologies and Systems, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
- College of Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Soybean Biology in Chinese Ministry of Education, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
| | - Jinhui Wang
- College of Agriculture, National Key Laboratory of Smart Farm Technologies and Systems, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
- College of Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Soybean Biology in Chinese Ministry of Education, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
| | - Yongkang Gao
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xulun Dong
- College of Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Soybean Biology in Chinese Ministry of Education, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
| | - Haojie Feng
- College of Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Soybean Biology in Chinese Ministry of Education, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
| | - Mingliang Yang
- College of Agriculture, National Key Laboratory of Smart Farm Technologies and Systems, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
- College of Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Soybean Biology in Chinese Ministry of Education, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
| | - Yanyu Yu
- College of Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Soybean Biology in Chinese Ministry of Education, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
| | - Chunyan Liu
- College of Agriculture, National Key Laboratory of Smart Farm Technologies and Systems, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China.
| | - Xiaoxia Wu
- College of Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Soybean Biology in Chinese Ministry of Education, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
| | - Zhaoming Qi
- College of Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Soybean Biology in Chinese Ministry of Education, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
| | - Luis A J Mur
- Department of Life Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Edward Llwyd Building, Aberystwyth, UK
| | - Kévin Magne
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, INRAE, Univ Evry, Institute of Plant Sciences Paris-Saclay (IPS2), Gif sur Yvette, France
- Université de Paris, Institute of Plant Sciences Paris-Saclay (IPS2), Gif sur Yvette, France
| | - Jianan Zou
- College of Agriculture, National Key Laboratory of Smart Farm Technologies and Systems, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
| | - Zhenbang Hu
- College of Agriculture, National Key Laboratory of Smart Farm Technologies and Systems, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
| | - Zhixi Tian
- Key Laboratory of Seed Innovation, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Chao Su
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China.
| | - Pascal Ratet
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, INRAE, Univ Evry, Institute of Plant Sciences Paris-Saclay (IPS2), Gif sur Yvette, France.
- Université de Paris, Institute of Plant Sciences Paris-Saclay (IPS2), Gif sur Yvette, France.
| | - Qingshan Chen
- College of Agriculture, National Key Laboratory of Smart Farm Technologies and Systems, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China.
- College of Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Soybean Biology in Chinese Ministry of Education, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China.
| | - Dawei Xin
- College of Agriculture, National Key Laboratory of Smart Farm Technologies and Systems, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China.
- College of Agriculture, Key Laboratory of Soybean Biology in Chinese Ministry of Education, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China.
- Department of Life Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Edward Llwyd Building, Aberystwyth, UK.
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, INRAE, Univ Evry, Institute of Plant Sciences Paris-Saclay (IPS2), Gif sur Yvette, France.
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Sánchez-Gil JJ, Poppeliers SWM, Vacheron J, Zhang H, Odijk B, Keel C, de Jonge R. The conserved iol gene cluster in Pseudomonas is involved in rhizosphere competence. Curr Biol 2023; 33:3097-3110.e6. [PMID: 37419116 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.05.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023]
Abstract
The Pseudomonas genus has shown great potential as a sustainable solution to support agriculture through its plant-growth-promoting and biocontrol activities. However, their efficacy as bioinoculants is limited by unpredictable colonization in natural conditions. Our study identifies the iol locus, a gene cluster in Pseudomonas involved in inositol catabolism, as a feature enriched among superior root colonizers in natural soil. Further characterization revealed that the iol locus increases competitiveness, potentially caused by an observed induction of swimming motility and the production of fluorescent siderophore in response to inositol, a plant-derived compound. Public data analyses indicate that the iol locus is broadly conserved in the Pseudomonas genus and linked to diverse host-microbe interactions. Together, our findings suggest the iol locus as a potential target for developing more effective bioinoculants for sustainable agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan J Sánchez-Gil
- Plant-Microbe Interactions, Department of Biology, Science for Life, Utrecht University, Utrecht 3584 CH, The Netherlands
| | - Sanne W M Poppeliers
- Plant-Microbe Interactions, Department of Biology, Science for Life, Utrecht University, Utrecht 3584 CH, The Netherlands
| | - Jordan Vacheron
- Department of Fundamental Microbiology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne CH-1015, Switzerland
| | - Hao Zhang
- Plant-Microbe Interactions, Department of Biology, Science for Life, Utrecht University, Utrecht 3584 CH, The Netherlands
| | - Bart Odijk
- Plant-Microbe Interactions, Department of Biology, Science for Life, Utrecht University, Utrecht 3584 CH, The Netherlands
| | - Christoph Keel
- Department of Fundamental Microbiology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne CH-1015, Switzerland
| | - Ronnie de Jonge
- Plant-Microbe Interactions, Department of Biology, Science for Life, Utrecht University, Utrecht 3584 CH, The Netherlands.
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Acosta-Jurado S, Fuentes-Romero F, Ruiz-Sainz JE, Janczarek M, Vinardell JM. Rhizobial Exopolysaccharides: Genetic Regulation of Their Synthesis and Relevance in Symbiosis with Legumes. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:6233. [PMID: 34207734 PMCID: PMC8227245 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22126233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Rhizobia are soil proteobacteria able to engage in a nitrogen-fixing symbiotic interaction with legumes that involves the rhizobial infection of roots and the bacterial invasion of new organs formed by the plant in response to the presence of appropriate bacterial partners. This interaction relies on a complex molecular dialogue between both symbionts. Bacterial N-acetyl-glucosamine oligomers called Nod factors are indispensable in most cases for early steps of the symbiotic interaction. In addition, different rhizobial surface polysaccharides, such as exopolysaccharides (EPS), may also be symbiotically relevant. EPS are acidic polysaccharides located out of the cell with little or no cell association that carry out important roles both in free-life and in symbiosis. EPS production is very complexly modulated and, frequently, co-regulated with Nod factors, but the type of co-regulation varies depending on the rhizobial strain. Many studies point out a signalling role for EPS-derived oligosaccharides in root infection and nodule invasion but, in certain symbiotic couples, EPS can be dispensable for a successful interaction. In summary, the complex regulation of the production of rhizobial EPS varies in different rhizobia, and the relevance of this polysaccharide in symbiosis with legumes depends on the specific interacting couple.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastián Acosta-Jurado
- Department of Microbiology, University of Sevilla, Avda. Reina Mercedes 6, 41012 Seville, Spain; (S.A.-J.); (F.F.-R.); (J.-E.R.-S.)
| | - Francisco Fuentes-Romero
- Department of Microbiology, University of Sevilla, Avda. Reina Mercedes 6, 41012 Seville, Spain; (S.A.-J.); (F.F.-R.); (J.-E.R.-S.)
| | - Jose-Enrique Ruiz-Sainz
- Department of Microbiology, University of Sevilla, Avda. Reina Mercedes 6, 41012 Seville, Spain; (S.A.-J.); (F.F.-R.); (J.-E.R.-S.)
| | - Monika Janczarek
- Department of Industrial and Environmental Microbiology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Akademicka 19, 20-033 Lublin, Poland
| | - José-María Vinardell
- Department of Microbiology, University of Sevilla, Avda. Reina Mercedes 6, 41012 Seville, Spain; (S.A.-J.); (F.F.-R.); (J.-E.R.-S.)
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Zeng YH, Cheng KK, Cai ZH, Zhu JM, Du XP, Wang Y, Zhou J. Transcriptome analysis expands the potential roles of quorum sensing in biodegradation and physiological responses to microcystin. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 771:145437. [PMID: 33736182 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.145437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Bacterial degradation is one of the most efficient ways to remove microcystins (MCs), the most frequently detected toxin in cyanobacterial blooms. Using Novosphingobium sp. ERW19 as a representative strain, our laboratory previously demonstrated that quorum sensing (QS), the cell density-dependent gene regulation system, positively regulates biodegradation of MCs via transcriptional activation of mlr-pathway-associated genes. Increasing evidence indicates that QS is involved in a wide spectrum of regulatory circuits, but it remains unclear which physiological processes in MC degradation besides the expression of MC-degrading genes are also subject to QS-dependent regulation. This study used transcriptome analysis to identify QS-regulated genes during degradation of MCs. A large percentage (up to 32.6%) of the genome of the MC-degrading bacterial strain Novosphingobium sp. ERW19 was significantly differentially expressed in the corresponding QS mutants. Pathway enrichment analysis of QS-regulated genes revealed that QS mainly influenced metabolism-associated pathways, particularly those related to amino acid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, and biodegradation and metabolism of xenobiotics. In-depth functional interpretation of QS-regulated genes indicated a variety of pathways were potentially associated with bacterial degradation or physiological responses to MCs, including genes involved in cell motility, cytochrome P450-dependent metabolism of xenobiotics, glutathione S-transferase (GST), envelope stress response, and ribosomes. Furthermore, QS may be involved in regulating the initial and final steps of the catabolic pathway of phenylacetic acid, an intermediate product of MC degradation. Collectively, this global survey of QS-regulated genes in a MC-degrading bacterial strain facilitates a deeper understanding of QS-controlled processes that may be important for bacterial degradation of MCs or may contribute to the physiological responses of bacteria to MCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Hua Zeng
- Shenzhen Public Platform for Screening and Application of Marine Microbial Resources, Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, PR China; Institute for Ocean Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, PR China
| | - Ke-Ke Cheng
- Shenzhen Public Platform for Screening and Application of Marine Microbial Resources, Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, PR China; Institute for Ocean Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, PR China
| | - Zhong-Hua Cai
- Shenzhen Public Platform for Screening and Application of Marine Microbial Resources, Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, PR China; Institute for Ocean Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, PR China
| | - Jian-Ming Zhu
- Shenzhen Public Platform for Screening and Application of Marine Microbial Resources, Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, PR China
| | - Xiao-Peng Du
- Shenzhen Public Platform for Screening and Application of Marine Microbial Resources, Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, PR China
| | - Yan Wang
- Shenzhen Polytechnic, Shenzhen 518055, PR China.
| | - Jin Zhou
- Shenzhen Public Platform for Screening and Application of Marine Microbial Resources, Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, PR China; Institute for Ocean Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, PR China.
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Cai W, Ou F, Staehelin C, Dai W. Bradyrhizobium sp. strain ORS278 promotes rice growth and its quorum sensing system is required for optimal root colonization. ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY REPORTS 2020; 12:656-666. [PMID: 32929871 DOI: 10.1111/1758-2229.12885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Many Gram-negative bacteria communicate by using homoserine lactones (HSLs) as quorum sensing (QS) signals in a cell density-dependent manner. In addition to fatty acyl-HSL (acyl-HSL) signals, certain strains, most of them associated with plants, produce non-canonical aryl-HSLs such as cinnamoyl-HSL. However, the role of aryl-HSL in endophytic associations remained elusive. Bradyrhizobium sp. strain ORS278 possesses a LuxI-LuxR type QS system and produces cinnamoyl-HSL as a QS signal. Here, we report that strain ORS278 promotes growth of domesticated rice (Oryza sativa). QS mutants unable to produce cinnamoyl-HSL exhibited reduced plant-growth promoting activity in comparison to the parent strain ORS278. Likewise, the QS mutants were impaired in their ability to colonize rice roots. These findings suggest that genes controlled by cinnamoyl-HSL play an important role in the association between rice and ORS278. However, biofilm production was not visibly altered in these mutants. In conclusion, our study highlights the importance of aryl-HSLs in endophytic plant-bacteria interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjie Cai
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, 510006, China
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, Integrative Microbiology Research Center, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Fuwen Ou
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, 510006, China
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, Integrative Microbiology Research Center, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Christian Staehelin
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Bioresources, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Weijun Dai
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, 510006, China
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, Integrative Microbiology Research Center, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
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Physiological Advantage of Phenotypic Heterogeneity in a Quorum-Sensing Population. J Indian Inst Sci 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s41745-020-00175-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Modulation of Quorum Sensing as an Adaptation to Nodule Cell Infection during Experimental Evolution of Legume Symbionts. mBio 2020; 11:mBio.03129-19. [PMID: 31992622 PMCID: PMC6989110 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03129-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Over millions of years, changes have occurred in regulatory circuitries in response to genome reorganization and/or persistent changes in environmental conditions. How bacteria optimize regulatory circuitries is crucial to understand bacterial adaptation. Here, we analyzed the experimental evolution of the plant pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum into legume symbionts after the transfer of a natural plasmid encoding the essential mutualistic genes. We showed that the Phc quorum sensing system required for the virulence of the ancestral bacterium was reconfigured to improve intracellular infection of root nodules induced by evolved Ralstonia A single mutation in either the PhcB autoinducer synthase or the PhcQ regulator of the sensory cascade tuned the kinetics of activation of the central regulator PhcA in response to cell density so that the minimal stimulatory concentration of autoinducers needed for a given response was increased. Yet, a change in the expression of a PhcA target gene was observed in infection threads progressing in root hairs, suggesting early programming for the late accommodation of bacteria in nodule cells. Moreover, this delayed switch to the quorum sensing mode decreased the pathogenicity of the ancestral strain, illustrating the functional plasticity of regulatory systems and showing how a small modulation in signal response can produce drastic changes in bacterial lifestyle.IMPORTANCE Rhizobia are soil bacteria from unrelated genera able to form a mutualistic relationship with legumes. Bacteria induce the formation of root nodules, invade nodule cells, and fix nitrogen to the benefit of the plant. Rhizobial lineages emerged from the horizontal transfer of essential symbiotic genes followed by genome remodeling to activate and/or optimize the acquired symbiotic potential. This evolutionary scenario was replayed in a laboratory evolution experiment in which the plant pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum successively evolved the capacities to nodulate Mimosa pudica and poorly invade, then massively invade, nodule cells. In some lines, the improvement of intracellular infection was achieved by mutations modulating a quorum sensing regulatory system of the ancestral strain. This modulation that affects the activity of a central regulator during the earliest stages of symbiosis has a huge impact on late stages of symbiosis. This work showed that regulatory rewiring is the main driver of this pathogeny-symbiosis transition.
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Deciphering the Symbiotic Significance of Quorum Sensing Systems of Sinorhizobium fredii HH103. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8010068. [PMID: 31906451 PMCID: PMC7022240 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8010068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Revised: 12/26/2019] [Accepted: 12/31/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Quorum sensing (QS) is a bacterial cell-to-cell signaling mechanism that collectively regulates and synchronizes behaviors by means of small diffusible chemical molecules. In rhizobia, QS systems usually relies on the synthesis and detection of N-acyl-homoserine lactones (AHLs). In the model bacterium Sinorhizobium meliloti functions regulated by the QS systems TraI-TraR and SinI-SinR(-ExpR) include plasmid transfer, production of surface polysaccharides, motility, growth rate and nodulation. These systems are also present in other bacteria of the Sinorhizobium genus, with variations at the species and strain level. In Sinorhizobium fredii NGR234 phenotypes regulated by QS are plasmid transfer, growth rate, sedimentation, motility, biofilm formation, EPS production and copy number of the symbiotic plasmid (pSym). The analysis of the S. fredii HH103 genomes reveal also the presence of both QS systems. In this manuscript we characterized the QS systems of S. fredii HH103, determining that both TraI and SinI AHL-synthases proteins are responsible of the production of short- and long-chain AHLs, respectively, at very low and not physiological concentrations. Interestingly, the main HH103 luxR-type genes, expR and traR, are split into two ORFs, suggesting that in S. fredii HH103 the corresponding carboxy-terminal proteins, which contain the DNA-binding motives, may control target genes in an AHL-independent manner. The presence of a split traR gene is common in other S. fredii strains.
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Gosai J, Anandhan S, Bhattacharjee A, Archana G. Elucidation of quorum sensing components and their role in regulation of symbiotically important traits in Ensifer nodulating pigeon pea. Microbiol Res 2020; 231:126354. [DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2019.126354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2019] [Revised: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 10/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Cervantes L, Miranda-Sánchez F, Torres Tejerizo G, Romero D, Brom S. Plasmid pSfr64a and the symbiotic plasmid pSfr64b of Sinorhizobium fredii GR64 control each other's conjugative transfer through quorum-sensing elements. Plasmid 2019; 106:102443. [PMID: 31689451 DOI: 10.1016/j.plasmid.2019.102443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Revised: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 09/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Rhizobia are nitrogen-fixing symbionts of plants. Their genomes frequently contain large plasmids, some of which are able to perform conjugative transfer. Plasmid pSfr64a from Sinorhizobium fredii GR64 is a conjugative plasmid, whose transfer is regulated by quorum sensing genes encoded by itself (traR64a, traI64a), in the symbiotic plasmid pSfr64b (traR64b, traI64b), and in the chromosome (ngrI). Also, transfer of pSfr64b requires quorum sensing elements encoded in this plasmid (traR64b, traI64b), in pSfr64a (traR64a), and in the chromosome (ngrI). These results demonstrate that pSfr64a and the symbiotic plasmid depend on each other for conjugative transfer. Plasmid pSfr64a from S. fredii GR64 is unable to transfer from the genomic background of Rhizobium etli CFN42. Our results show that the relaxase of pRet42a is able to process the oriT of pSfr64a, and viceversa, underlining their functional similarity and suggesting that in addition to the external signals, the "cytoplasmic environment" may pose a barrier to plasmid dissemination, even if the plasmids are functional in other aspects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Cervantes
- Programa de Ingeniería Genómica, Centro de Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Mexico
| | - Fabiola Miranda-Sánchez
- Programa de Ingeniería Genómica, Centro de Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Mexico; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Gonzalo Torres Tejerizo
- Programa de Ingeniería Genómica, Centro de Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Mexico; Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular (IBBM) - CCT-CONICET-La Plata, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Argentina
| | - David Romero
- Programa de Ingeniería Genómica, Centro de Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Mexico
| | - Susana Brom
- Programa de Ingeniería Genómica, Centro de Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Mexico.
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Zuniga-Soto E, Fitzpatrick DA, Doohan FM, Mullins E. Insights into the transcriptomic response of the plant engineering bacterium Ensifer adhaerens OV14 during transformation. Sci Rep 2019; 9:10344. [PMID: 31316079 PMCID: PMC6637203 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-44648-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2018] [Accepted: 05/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability to engineer plant genomes has been primarily driven by the soil bacterium Agrobacterium tumefaciens but recently the potential of alternative rhizobia such as Rhizobium etli and Ensifer adhaerens OV14, the latter of which supports Ensifer Mediated Transformation (EMT) has been reported. Surprisingly, a knowledge deficit exists in regards to understanding the whole genome processes underway in plant transforming bacteria, irrespective of the species. To begin to address the issue, we undertook a temporal RNAseq-based profiling study of E. adhaerens OV14 in the presence/absence of Arabidopsis thaliana tissues. Following co-cultivation with root tissues, 2333 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were noted. Meta-analysis of the RNAseq data sets identified a clear shift from plasmid-derived gene expression to chromosomal-based transcription within the early stages of bacterium-plant co-cultivation. During this time, the number of differentially expressed prokaryotic genes increased steadily out to 7 days co-cultivation, a time at which optimum rates of transformation were observed. Gene ontology evaluations indicated a role for both chromosomal and plasmid-based gene families linked specifically with quorum sensing, flagellin production and biofilm formation in the process of EMT. Transcriptional evaluation of vir genes, housed on the pCAMBIA 5105 plasmid in E. adhaerens OV14 confirmed the ability of E. adhaerens OV14 to perceive and activate its transcriptome in response to the presence of 200 µM of acetosyringone. Significantly, this is the first study to characterise the whole transcriptomic response of a plant engineering bacterium in the presence of plant tissues and provides a novel insight into prokaryotic genetic processes that support T-DNA transfer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evelyn Zuniga-Soto
- Department of Crop Science, Teagasc Crops Research Centre, Oak Park, Carlow, Ireland
- School of Biology and Environmental Sciences, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - David A Fitzpatrick
- Department of Biology, National University of Ireland Maynooth, Maynooth, Ireland
| | - Fiona M Doohan
- School of Biology and Environmental Sciences, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Ewen Mullins
- Department of Crop Science, Teagasc Crops Research Centre, Oak Park, Carlow, Ireland.
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Bettenworth V, Steinfeld B, Duin H, Petersen K, Streit WR, Bischofs I, Becker A. Phenotypic Heterogeneity in Bacterial Quorum Sensing Systems. J Mol Biol 2019; 431:4530-4546. [PMID: 31051177 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2019.04.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2019] [Revised: 04/19/2019] [Accepted: 04/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Quorum sensing is usually thought of as a collective behavior in which all members of a population partake. However, over the last decade, several reports of phenotypic heterogeneity in quorum sensing-related gene expression have been put forward, thus challenging this view. In the respective systems, cells of isogenic populations did not contribute equally to autoinducer production or target gene activation, and in some cases, the fraction of contributing cells was modulated by environmental factors. Here, we look into potential origins of these incidences and into how initial cell-to-cell variations might be amplified to establish distinct phenotypic heterogeneity. We furthermore discuss potential functions heterogeneity in bacterial quorum sensing systems could serve: as a preparation for environmental fluctuations (bet hedging), as a more cost-effective way of producing public goods (division of labor), as a loophole for genotypic cooperators when faced with non-contributing mutants (cheat protection), or simply as a means to fine-tune the output of the population as a whole (output modulation). We illustrate certain aspects of these recent developments with the model organisms Sinorhizobium meliloti, Sinorhizobium fredii and Bacillus subtilis, which possess quorum sensing systems of different complexity, but all show phenotypic heterogeneity therein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vera Bettenworth
- Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO), Philipps-Universität Marburg, 35043 Marburg, Germany; Faculty of Biology, Philipps-Universität Marburg, 35043 Marburg, Germany.
| | - Benedikt Steinfeld
- BioQuant Center of the University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Center for Molecular Biology (ZMBH), University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Max-Planck-Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, 35043 Marburg, Germany.
| | - Hilke Duin
- Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, University of Hamburg, 22609 Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Katrin Petersen
- Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, University of Hamburg, 22609 Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Wolfgang R Streit
- Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, University of Hamburg, 22609 Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Ilka Bischofs
- BioQuant Center of the University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Center for Molecular Biology (ZMBH), University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Max-Planck-Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, 35043 Marburg, Germany.
| | - Anke Becker
- Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO), Philipps-Universität Marburg, 35043 Marburg, Germany; Faculty of Biology, Philipps-Universität Marburg, 35043 Marburg, Germany.
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13
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diCenzo GC, Zamani M, Checcucci A, Fondi M, Griffitts JS, Finan TM, Mengoni A. Multidisciplinary approaches for studying rhizobium–legume symbioses. Can J Microbiol 2019; 65:1-33. [DOI: 10.1139/cjm-2018-0377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The rhizobium–legume symbiosis is a major source of fixed nitrogen (ammonia) in the biosphere. The potential for this process to increase agricultural yield while reducing the reliance on nitrogen-based fertilizers has generated interest in understanding and manipulating this process. For decades, rhizobium research has benefited from the use of leading techniques from a very broad set of fields, including population genetics, molecular genetics, genomics, and systems biology. In this review, we summarize many of the research strategies that have been employed in the study of rhizobia and the unique knowledge gained from these diverse tools, with a focus on genome- and systems-level approaches. We then describe ongoing synthetic biology approaches aimed at improving existing symbioses or engineering completely new symbiotic interactions. The review concludes with our perspective of the future directions and challenges of the field, with an emphasis on how the application of a multidisciplinary approach and the development of new methods will be necessary to ensure successful biotechnological manipulation of the symbiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- George C. diCenzo
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, FI 50019, Italy
| | - Maryam Zamani
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Alice Checcucci
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, FI 50019, Italy
| | - Marco Fondi
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, FI 50019, Italy
| | - Joel S. Griffitts
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
| | - Turlough M. Finan
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Alessio Mengoni
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, FI 50019, Italy
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14
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Calatrava-Morales N, McIntosh M, Soto MJ. Regulation Mediated by N-Acyl Homoserine Lactone Quorum Sensing Signals in the Rhizobium-Legume Symbiosis. Genes (Basel) 2018; 9:genes9050263. [PMID: 29783703 PMCID: PMC5977203 DOI: 10.3390/genes9050263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2018] [Revised: 05/15/2018] [Accepted: 05/15/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Soil-dwelling bacteria collectively referred to as rhizobia synthesize and perceive N-acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL) signals to regulate gene expression in a population density-dependent manner. AHL-mediated signaling in these bacteria regulates several functions which are important for the establishment of nitrogen-fixing symbiosis with legume plants. Moreover, rhizobial AHL act as interkingdom signals triggering plant responses that impact the plant-bacteria interaction. Both the regulatory mechanisms that control AHL synthesis in rhizobia and the set of bacterial genes and associated traits under quorum sensing (QS) control vary greatly among the rhizobial species. In this article, we focus on the well-known QS system of the alfalfa symbiont Sinorhizobium(Ensifer)meliloti. Bacterial genes, environmental factors and transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulatory mechanisms that control AHL production in this Rhizobium, as well as the effects of the signaling molecule on bacterial phenotypes and plant responses will be reviewed. Current knowledge of S. meliloti QS will be compared with that of other rhizobia. Finally, participation of the legume host in QS by interfering with rhizobial AHL perception through the production of molecular mimics will also be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nieves Calatrava-Morales
- Departamento de Microbiología del Suelo y Sistemas Simbióticos, Estación Experimental del Zaidín, CSIC; Granada 18008, Spain.
| | - Matthew McIntosh
- Institut für Mikrobiologie und Molekularbiologie, Universität Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany.
| | - María J Soto
- Departamento de Microbiología del Suelo y Sistemas Simbióticos, Estación Experimental del Zaidín, CSIC; Granada 18008, Spain.
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15
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Krohn-Molt I, Alawi M, Förstner KU, Wiegandt A, Burkhardt L, Indenbirken D, Thieß M, Grundhoff A, Kehr J, Tholey A, Streit WR. Insights into Microalga and Bacteria Interactions of Selected Phycosphere Biofilms Using Metagenomic, Transcriptomic, and Proteomic Approaches. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:1941. [PMID: 29067007 PMCID: PMC5641341 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.01941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2017] [Accepted: 09/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Microalga are of high relevance for the global carbon cycling and it is well-known that they are associated with a microbiota. However, it remains unclear, if the associated microbiota, often found in phycosphere biofilms, is specific for the microalga strains and which role individual bacterial taxa play. Here we provide experimental evidence that Chlorella saccharophila, Scenedesmus quadricauda, and Micrasterias crux-melitensis, maintained in strain collections, are associated with unique and specific microbial populations. Deep metagenome sequencing, binning approaches, secretome analyses in combination with RNA-Seq data implied fundamental differences in the gene expression profiles of the microbiota associated with the different microalga. Our metatranscriptome analyses indicates that the transcriptionally most active bacteria with respect to key genes commonly involved in plant–microbe interactions in the Chlorella (Trebouxiophyceae) and Scenedesmus (Chlorophyceae) strains belong to the phylum of the α-Proteobacteria. In contrast, in the Micrasterias (Zygnematophyceae) phycosphere biofilm bacteria affiliated with the phylum of the Bacteroidetes showed the highest gene expression rates. We furthermore show that effector molecules known from plant–microbe interactions as inducers for the innate immunity are already of relevance at this evolutionary early plant-microbiome level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ines Krohn-Molt
- Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Biocenter Klein Flottbek, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Malik Alawi
- Bioinformatics Core, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Konrad U Förstner
- Core Unit Systems Medicine, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Alena Wiegandt
- Division of Systematic Proteome Research and Bioanalytics, Institute for Experimental Medicine, University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Lia Burkhardt
- Virus Genomics, Leibniz Institute for Experimental Virology, Heinrich-Pette-Institute, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Daniela Indenbirken
- Virus Genomics, Leibniz Institute for Experimental Virology, Heinrich-Pette-Institute, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Melanie Thieß
- Molecular Plant Genetics, Biocenter Klein Flottbek, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Adam Grundhoff
- Virus Genomics, Leibniz Institute for Experimental Virology, Heinrich-Pette-Institute, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Julia Kehr
- Molecular Plant Genetics, Biocenter Klein Flottbek, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Tholey
- Division of Systematic Proteome Research and Bioanalytics, Institute for Experimental Medicine, University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Wolfgang R Streit
- Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Biocenter Klein Flottbek, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
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16
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Quorum Sensing and the Use of Quorum Quenchers as Natural Biocides to Inhibit Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria. Antibiotics (Basel) 2016; 5:antibiotics5040039. [PMID: 27983678 PMCID: PMC5187520 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics5040039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2016] [Revised: 11/23/2016] [Accepted: 12/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) are one of the main protagonist groups of biocorrosion in the seawater environment. Given their principal role in biocorrosion, it remains a crucial task to develop strategies to reduce the abundance of SRBs. Conventional approaches include the use of biocides and antibiotics, which can impose health, safety, and environmental concerns. This review examines an alternative approach to this problem. This is achieved by reviewing the role of quorum sensing (QS) in SRB populations and its impact on the biofilm formation process. Genome databases of SRBs are mined to look for putative QS systems and homologous protein sequences representative of autoinducer receptors or synthases. Subsequently, this review puts forward the potential use of quorum quenchers as natural biocides against SRBs and outlines the potential strategies for the implementation of this approach.
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17
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Grote J, Krysciak D, Petersen K, Güllert S, Schmeisser C, Förstner KU, Krishnan HB, Schwalbe H, Kubatova N, Streit WR. The Absence of the N-acyl-homoserine-lactone Autoinducer Synthase Genes traI and ngrI Increases the Copy Number of the Symbiotic Plasmid in Sinorhizobium fredii NGR234. Front Microbiol 2016; 7:1858. [PMID: 27917168 PMCID: PMC5114275 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2016.01858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2016] [Accepted: 11/04/2016] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Plant-released flavonoids induce the transcription of symbiotic genes in rhizobia and one of the first bacterial responses is the synthesis of so called Nod factors. They are responsible for the initial root hair curling during onset of root nodule development. This signal exchange is believed to be essential for initiating the plant symbiosis with rhizobia affiliated with the Alphaproteobacteria. Here, we provide evidence that in the broad host range strain Sinorhizobium fredii NGR234 the complete lack of quorum sensing molecules results in an elevated copy number of its symbiotic plasmid (pNGR234a). This in turn triggers the expression of symbiotic genes and the production of Nod factors in the absence of plant signals. Therefore, increasing the copy number of specific plasmids could be a widespread mechanism of specialized bacterial populations to bridge gaps in signaling cascades.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Grote
- Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Biocenter Klein Flottbek, University of Hamburg Hamburg, Germany
| | - Dagmar Krysciak
- Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Biocenter Klein Flottbek, University of Hamburg Hamburg, Germany
| | - Katrin Petersen
- Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Biocenter Klein Flottbek, University of Hamburg Hamburg, Germany
| | - Simon Güllert
- Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Biocenter Klein Flottbek, University of Hamburg Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christel Schmeisser
- Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Biocenter Klein Flottbek, University of Hamburg Hamburg, Germany
| | - Konrad U Förstner
- Core Unit Systems Medicine, University of Würzburg Würzburg, Germany
| | - Hari B Krishnan
- Plant Genetics Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, University of Missouri Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Harald Schwalbe
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Nina Kubatova
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Wolfgang R Streit
- Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Biocenter Klein Flottbek, University of Hamburg Hamburg, Germany
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18
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Han S, Li D, Trost E, Mayer KF, Vlot AC, Heller W, Schmid M, Hartmann A, Rothballer M. Systemic Responses of Barley to the 3-hydroxy-decanoyl-homoserine Lactone Producing Plant Beneficial Endophyte Acidovorax radicis N35. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2016; 7:1868. [PMID: 28018401 PMCID: PMC5149536 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2016.01868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2016] [Accepted: 11/25/2016] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Quorum sensing auto-inducers of the N-acyl homoserine lactone (AHL) type produced by Gram-negative bacteria have different effects on plants including stimulation on root growth and/or priming or acquirement of systemic resistance in plants. In this communication the influence of AHL production of the plant growth promoting endophytic rhizosphere bacterium Acidovorax radicis N35 on barley seedlings was investigated. A. radicis N35 produces 3-hydroxy-C10-homoserine lactone (3-OH-C10-HSL) as the major AHL compound. To study the influence of this QS autoinducer on the interaction with barley, the araI-biosynthesis gene was deleted. The comparison of inoculation effects of the A. radicis N35 wild type and the araI mutant resulted in remarkable differences. While the N35 wild type colonized plant roots effectively in microcolonies, the araI mutant occurred at the root surface as single cells. Furthermore, in a mixed inoculum the wild type was much more prevalent in colonization than the araI mutant documenting that the araI mutation affected root colonization. Nevertheless, a significant plant growth promoting effect could be shown after inoculation of barley with the wild type and the araI mutant in soil after 2 months cultivation. While A. radicis N35 wild type showed only a very weak induction of early defense responses in plant RNA expression analysis, the araI mutant caused increased expression of flavonoid biosynthesis genes. This was corroborated by the accumulation of several flavonoid compounds such as saponarin and lutonarin in leaves of root inoculated barley seedlings. Thus, although the exact role of the flavonoids in this plant response is not clear yet, it can be concluded, that the synthesis of AHLs by A. radicis has implications on the perception by the host plant barley and thereby contributes to the establishment and function of the bacteria-plant interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengcai Han
- Research Unit Microbe-Plant Interactions, Department Environmental Sciences, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health (GmbH)Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Dan Li
- Research Unit Microbe-Plant Interactions, Department Environmental Sciences, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health (GmbH)Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Eva Trost
- Research Unit Plant Genome and Systems Biology, Department Environmental Sciences, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health (GmbH)Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Klaus F. Mayer
- Research Unit Plant Genome and Systems Biology, Department Environmental Sciences, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health (GmbH)Neuherberg, Germany
| | - A. Corina Vlot
- Department Environmental Sciences, Institute of Biochemical Plant Pathology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health (GmbH)Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Werner Heller
- Department Environmental Sciences, Institute of Biochemical Plant Pathology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health (GmbH)Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Michael Schmid
- Research Unit Microbe-Plant Interactions, Department Environmental Sciences, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health (GmbH)Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Anton Hartmann
- Research Unit Microbe-Plant Interactions, Department Environmental Sciences, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health (GmbH)Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Michael Rothballer
- Research Unit Microbe-Plant Interactions, Department Environmental Sciences, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health (GmbH)Neuherberg, Germany
- *Correspondence: Michael Rothballer
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19
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Rachwał K, Matczyńska E, Janczarek M. Transcriptome profiling of a Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifolii rosR mutant reveals the role of the transcriptional regulator RosR in motility, synthesis of cell-surface components, and other cellular processes. BMC Genomics 2015; 16:1111. [PMID: 26715155 PMCID: PMC4696191 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-015-2332-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2015] [Accepted: 12/17/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifolii is a soil bacterium capable of establishing a symbiotic relationship with red clover (Trifolium pratense). The presence of surface polysaccharides and other extracellular components as well as motility and competitiveness are essential traits for both adaptation of this bacterium to changing environmental conditions and successful infection of host plant roots. The R. leguminosarum bv. trifolii rosR gene encodes a protein belonging to the family of Ros/MucR transcriptional regulators, which contain a Cys2His2-type zinc-finger motif and are involved in the regulation of exopolysaccharide synthesis in several rhizobial species. Previously, it was established that a mutation in the rosR gene significantly decreased exopolysaccharide synthesis, increased bacterial sensitivity to some stress factors, and negatively affected infection of clover roots. Results RNA-Seq analysis performed for the R. leguminosarum bv. trifolii wild-type strain Rt24.2 and its derivative Rt2472 carrying a rosR mutation identified a large number of genes which were differentially expressed in these two backgrounds. A considerable majority of these genes were up-regulated in the mutant (63.22 %), indicating that RosR functions mainly as a repressor. Transcriptome profiling of the rosR mutant revealed a role of this regulator in several cellular processes, including the synthesis of cell-surface components and polysaccharides, motility, and bacterial metabolism. Moreover, it was established that the Rt2472 strain was characterized by a longer generation time and showed an increased aggregation ability, but was impaired in motility as a result of considerably reduced flagellation of its cells. Conclusions The comparative transcriptome analysis of R. leguminosarum bv. trifolii wild-type Rt24.2 and the Rt2472 mutant identified a set of genes belonging to the RosR regulon and confirmed the important role of RosR in the regulatory network. The data obtained in this study indicate that this protein affects several cellular processes and plays an important role in bacterial adaptation to environmental conditions. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-015-2332-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamila Rachwał
- Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Institute of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Akademicka 19, 20-033, Lublin, Poland
| | - Ewa Matczyńska
- Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Institute of Computer Science, Jagiellonian University, Łojasiewicza 6, 30-348, Cracow, Poland.,Genomed SA, Ponczowa 12, 02-971, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Monika Janczarek
- Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Institute of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Akademicka 19, 20-033, Lublin, Poland.
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20
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Abda EM, Krysciak D, Krohn-Molt I, Mamat U, Schmeisser C, Förstner KU, Schaible UE, Kohl TA, Nieman S, Streit WR. Phenotypic Heterogeneity Affects Stenotrophomonas maltophilia K279a Colony Morphotypes and β-Lactamase Expression. Front Microbiol 2015; 6:1373. [PMID: 26696982 PMCID: PMC4667094 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2015.01373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2015] [Accepted: 11/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Phenotypic heterogeneity at the cellular level in response to various stresses, e.g., antibiotic treatment has been reported for a number of bacteria. In a clonal population, cell-to-cell variation may result in phenotypic heterogeneity that is a mechanism to survive changing environments including antibiotic therapy. Stenotrophomonas maltophilia has been frequently isolated from cystic fibrosis patients, can cause numerous infections in other organs and tissues, and is difficult to treat due to antibiotic resistances. S. maltophilia K279a produces the L1 and L2 β-lactamases in response to β-lactam treatment. Here we report that the patient isolate S. maltophilia K279a diverges into cellular subpopulations with distinct but reversible morphotypes of small and big colonies when challenged with ampicillin. This observation is consistent with the formation of elongated chains of bacteria during exponential growth phase and the occurrence of mainly rod-shaped cells in liquid media. RNA-seq analysis of small versus big colonies revealed differential regulation of at least seven genes among the colony morphotypes. Among those, bla L1 and bla L2 were transcriptionally the most strongly upregulated genes. Promoter fusions of bla L1 and bla L2 genes indicated that expression of both genes is also subject to high levels of phenotypic heterogeneous expression on a single cell level. Additionally, the comE homolog was found to be differentially expressed in homogenously versus heterogeneously bla L2 expressing cells as identified by RNA-seq analysis. Overexpression of comE in S. maltophilia K279a reduced the level of cells that were in a bla L2-ON mode to 1% or lower. Taken together, our data provide strong evidence that S. maltophilia K279a populations develop phenotypic heterogeneity in an ampicillin challenged model. This cellular variability is triggered by regulation networks including bla L1, bla L2, and comE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ebrahim M Abda
- Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Biocenter Klein Flottbek - University of Hamburg Hamburg, Germany
| | - Dagmar Krysciak
- Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Biocenter Klein Flottbek - University of Hamburg Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ines Krohn-Molt
- Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Biocenter Klein Flottbek - University of Hamburg Hamburg, Germany
| | - Uwe Mamat
- Priority Program Asthma and Allergy, Leibniz-Center for Medicine and Biosciences - Research Center Borstel Borstel, Germany
| | - Christel Schmeisser
- Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Biocenter Klein Flottbek - University of Hamburg Hamburg, Germany
| | - Konrad U Förstner
- Core Unit Systems Medicine, University of Würzburg Würzburg, Germany
| | - Ulrich E Schaible
- Priority Program Infections, Leibniz-Center for Medicine and Biosciences - Research Center Borstel Borstel, Germany
| | - Thomas A Kohl
- Priority Program Infections, Leibniz-Center for Medicine and Biosciences - Research Center Borstel Borstel, Germany
| | - Stefan Nieman
- Priority Program Infections, Leibniz-Center for Medicine and Biosciences - Research Center Borstel Borstel, Germany ; German Center for Infection Research Borstel, Germany
| | - Wolfgang R Streit
- Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Biocenter Klein Flottbek - University of Hamburg Hamburg, Germany
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21
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Gao R, Krysciak D, Petersen K, Utpatel C, Knapp A, Schmeisser C, Daniel R, Voget S, Jaeger KE, Streit WR. Genome-wide RNA sequencing analysis of quorum sensing-controlled regulons in the plant-associated Burkholderia glumae PG1 strain. Appl Environ Microbiol 2015; 81:7993-8007. [PMID: 26362987 PMCID: PMC4651095 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01043-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2015] [Accepted: 09/01/2015] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Burkholderia glumae PG1 is a soil-associated motile plant-pathogenic bacterium possessing a cell density-dependent regulation system called quorum sensing (QS). Its genome contains three genes, here designated bgaI1 to bgaI3, encoding distinct autoinducer-1 (AI-1) synthases, which are capable of synthesizing QS signaling molecules. Here, we report on the construction of B. glumae PG1 ΔbgaI1, ΔbgaI2, and ΔbgaI3 mutants, their phenotypic characterization, and genome-wide transcriptome analysis using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) technology. Knockout of each of these bgaI genes resulted in strongly decreased motility, reduced extracellular lipase activity, a reduced ability to cause plant tissue maceration, and decreased pathogenicity. RNA-seq analysis of all three B. glumae PG1 AI-1 synthase mutants performed in the transition from exponential to stationary growth phase revealed differential expression of a significant number of predicted genes. In comparison with the levels of gene expression by wild-type strain B. glumae PG1, 481 genes were differentially expressed in the ΔbgaI1 mutant, 213 were differentially expressed in the ΔbgaI2 mutant, and 367 were differentially expressed in the ΔbgaI3 mutant. Interestingly, only a minor set of 78 genes was coregulated in all three mutants. The majority of the QS-regulated genes were linked to metabolic activities, and the most pronounced regulation was observed for genes involved in rhamnolipid and Flp pilus biosynthesis and the type VI secretion system and genes linked to a clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)-cas gene cluster.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Gao
- Biocenter Klein Flottbek, Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Dagmar Krysciak
- Biocenter Klein Flottbek, Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Katrin Petersen
- Biocenter Klein Flottbek, Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christian Utpatel
- Biocenter Klein Flottbek, Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Knapp
- Institute of Molecular Enzyme Technology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Christel Schmeisser
- Biocenter Klein Flottbek, Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Rolf Daniel
- Department of Genomic and Applied Microbiology, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, Georg August University Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Sonja Voget
- Department of Genomic and Applied Microbiology, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, Georg August University Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Karl-Erich Jaeger
- Institute of Molecular Enzyme Technology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany Institute of Bio- and Geosciences IBG-1: Biotechnology, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Wolfgang R Streit
- Biocenter Klein Flottbek, Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
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Phenotypic Heterogeneity, a Phenomenon That May Explain Why Quorum Sensing Does Not Always Result in Truly Homogenous Cell Behavior. Appl Environ Microbiol 2015. [PMID: 26025903 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00900-15/format/epub] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Phenotypic heterogeneity describes the occurrence of "nonconformist" cells within an isogenic population. The nonconformists show an expression profile partially different from that of the remainder of the population. Phenotypic heterogeneity affects many aspects of the different bacterial lifestyles, and it is assumed that it increases bacterial fitness and the chances for survival of the whole population or smaller subpopulations in unfavorable environments. Well-known examples for phenotypic heterogeneity have been associated with antibiotic resistance and frequently occurring persister cells. Other examples include heterogeneous behavior within biofilms, DNA uptake and bacterial competence, motility (i.e., the synthesis of additional flagella), onset of spore formation, lysis of phages within a small subpopulation, and others. Interestingly, phenotypic heterogeneity was recently also observed with respect to quorum-sensing (QS)-dependent processes, and the expression of autoinducer (AI) synthase genes and other QS-dependent genes was found to be highly heterogeneous at a single-cell level. This phenomenon was observed in several Gram-negative bacteria affiliated with the genera Vibrio, Dinoroseobacter, Pseudomonas, Sinorhizobium, and Mesorhizobium. A similar observation was made for the Gram-positive bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. Since AI molecules have historically been thought to be the keys to homogeneous behavior within isogenic populations, the observation of heterogeneous expression is quite intriguing and adds a new level of complexity to the QS-dependent regulatory networks. All together, the many examples of phenotypic heterogeneity imply that we may have to partially revise the concept of homogeneous and coordinated gene expression in isogenic bacterial populations.
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23
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Vinardell JM, Acosta-Jurado S, Zehner S, Göttfert M, Becker A, Baena I, Blom J, Crespo-Rivas JC, Goesmann A, Jaenicke S, Krol E, McIntosh M, Margaret I, Pérez-Montaño F, Schneiker-Bekel S, Serranía J, Szczepanowski R, Buendía AM, Lloret J, Bonilla I, Pühler A, Ruiz-Sainz JE, Weidner S. The Sinorhizobium fredii HH103 Genome: A Comparative Analysis With S. fredii Strains Differing in Their Symbiotic Behavior With Soybean. MOLECULAR PLANT-MICROBE INTERACTIONS : MPMI 2015; 28:811-24. [PMID: 25675256 DOI: 10.1094/mpmi-12-14-0397-fi] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Sinorhizobium fredii HH103 is a fast-growing rhizobial strain infecting a broad range of legumes including both American and Asiatic soybeans. In this work, we present the sequencing and annotation of the HH103 genome (7.25 Mb), consisting of one chromosome and six plasmids and representing the structurally most complex sinorhizobial genome sequenced so far. Comparative genomic analyses of S. fredii HH103 with strains USDA257 and NGR234 showed that the core genome of these three strains contains 4,212 genes (61.7% of the HH103 genes). Synteny plot analysis revealed that the much larger chromosome of USDA257 (6.48 Mb) is colinear to the HH103 (4.3 Mb) and NGR324 chromosomes (3.9 Mb). An additional region of the USDA257 chromosome of about 2 Mb displays similarity to plasmid pSfHH103e. Remarkable differences exist between HH103 and NGR234 concerning nod genes, flavonoid effect on surface polysaccharide production, and quorum-sensing systems. Furthermore a number of protein secretion systems have been found. Two genes coding for putative type III-secreted effectors not previously described in S. fredii, nopI and gunA, have been located on the HH103 genome. These differences could be important to understand the different symbiotic behavior of S. fredii strains HH103, USDA257, and NGR234 with soybean.
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Affiliation(s)
- José-María Vinardell
- 1 Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla. Avda. Reina Mercedes 6, C.P. 41012 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Sebastián Acosta-Jurado
- 1 Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla. Avda. Reina Mercedes 6, C.P. 41012 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Susanne Zehner
- 2 Technische Universität Dresden, Institut für Genetik, Helmholtzstrasse 10, 01062 Dresden, Germany
| | - Michael Göttfert
- 2 Technische Universität Dresden, Institut für Genetik, Helmholtzstrasse 10, 01062 Dresden, Germany
| | - Anke Becker
- 3 LOEWE Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO) and Faculty of Biology, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Hans-Meerwein-Str. 6, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Irene Baena
- 4 Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Darwin 2, 28049-Madrid, Spain
| | - Jochem Blom
- 5 Centrum für Biotechnologie (CeBiTec), Universität Bielefeld, Universitaetsstr. 27, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Juan Carlos Crespo-Rivas
- 1 Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla. Avda. Reina Mercedes 6, C.P. 41012 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Alexander Goesmann
- 5 Centrum für Biotechnologie (CeBiTec), Universität Bielefeld, Universitaetsstr. 27, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Sebastian Jaenicke
- 5 Centrum für Biotechnologie (CeBiTec), Universität Bielefeld, Universitaetsstr. 27, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Elizaveta Krol
- 3 LOEWE Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO) and Faculty of Biology, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Hans-Meerwein-Str. 6, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Matthew McIntosh
- 3 LOEWE Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO) and Faculty of Biology, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Hans-Meerwein-Str. 6, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Isabel Margaret
- 1 Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla. Avda. Reina Mercedes 6, C.P. 41012 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Francisco Pérez-Montaño
- 1 Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla. Avda. Reina Mercedes 6, C.P. 41012 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Susanne Schneiker-Bekel
- 5 Centrum für Biotechnologie (CeBiTec), Universität Bielefeld, Universitaetsstr. 27, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Javier Serranía
- 3 LOEWE Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO) and Faculty of Biology, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Hans-Meerwein-Str. 6, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Rafael Szczepanowski
- 5 Centrum für Biotechnologie (CeBiTec), Universität Bielefeld, Universitaetsstr. 27, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Ana-María Buendía
- 1 Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla. Avda. Reina Mercedes 6, C.P. 41012 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Javier Lloret
- 4 Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Darwin 2, 28049-Madrid, Spain
| | - Ildefonso Bonilla
- 4 Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Darwin 2, 28049-Madrid, Spain
| | - Alfred Pühler
- 5 Centrum für Biotechnologie (CeBiTec), Universität Bielefeld, Universitaetsstr. 27, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - José-Enrique Ruiz-Sainz
- 1 Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla. Avda. Reina Mercedes 6, C.P. 41012 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Stefan Weidner
- 5 Centrum für Biotechnologie (CeBiTec), Universität Bielefeld, Universitaetsstr. 27, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
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Phenotypic Heterogeneity, a Phenomenon That May Explain Why Quorum Sensing Does Not Always Result in Truly Homogenous Cell Behavior. Appl Environ Microbiol 2015; 81:5280-9. [PMID: 26025903 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00900-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Phenotypic heterogeneity describes the occurrence of "nonconformist" cells within an isogenic population. The nonconformists show an expression profile partially different from that of the remainder of the population. Phenotypic heterogeneity affects many aspects of the different bacterial lifestyles, and it is assumed that it increases bacterial fitness and the chances for survival of the whole population or smaller subpopulations in unfavorable environments. Well-known examples for phenotypic heterogeneity have been associated with antibiotic resistance and frequently occurring persister cells. Other examples include heterogeneous behavior within biofilms, DNA uptake and bacterial competence, motility (i.e., the synthesis of additional flagella), onset of spore formation, lysis of phages within a small subpopulation, and others. Interestingly, phenotypic heterogeneity was recently also observed with respect to quorum-sensing (QS)-dependent processes, and the expression of autoinducer (AI) synthase genes and other QS-dependent genes was found to be highly heterogeneous at a single-cell level. This phenomenon was observed in several Gram-negative bacteria affiliated with the genera Vibrio, Dinoroseobacter, Pseudomonas, Sinorhizobium, and Mesorhizobium. A similar observation was made for the Gram-positive bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. Since AI molecules have historically been thought to be the keys to homogeneous behavior within isogenic populations, the observation of heterogeneous expression is quite intriguing and adds a new level of complexity to the QS-dependent regulatory networks. All together, the many examples of phenotypic heterogeneity imply that we may have to partially revise the concept of homogeneous and coordinated gene expression in isogenic bacterial populations.
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25
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Evidence of autoinducer-dependent and -independent heterogeneous gene expression in Sinorhizobium fredii NGR234. Appl Environ Microbiol 2014; 80:5572-82. [PMID: 25002427 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01689-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Populations of genetically identical Sinorhizobium fredii NGR234 cells differ significantly in their expression profiles of autoinducer (AI)-dependent and AI-independent genes. Promoter fusions of the NGR234 AI synthase genes traI and ngrI showed high levels of phenotypic heterogeneity during growth in TY medium on a single-cell level. However, adding very high concentrations of N-(3-oxooctanoyl-)-l-homoserine lactone resulted in a more homogeneous expression profile. Similarly, the lack of internally synthesized AIs in the background of the NGR234-ΔtraI or the NGR234-ΔngrI mutant resulted in a highly homogenous expression of the corresponding promoter fusions in the population. Expression studies with reporter fusions of the promoter regions of the quorum-quenching genes dlhR and qsdR1 and the type IV pilus gene cluster located on pNGR234b suggested that factors other than AI molecules affect NGR234 phenotypic heterogeneity. Further studies with root exudates and developing Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings provide the first evidence that plant root exudates have strong effects on the heterogeneity of AI synthase and quorum-quenching genes in NGR234. Therefore, plant-released octopine appears to play a key role in modulation of heterogeneous gene expression.
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