Transformation of the phytopathogenic bacterium Clavibacter michiganense subsp. michiganense by electroporation and development of a cloning vector

Allelic variations in the chpG effector gene within Clavibacter michiganensis populations determine pathogen host range

Plant pathogenic bacteria often have a narrow host range, which can vary among different isolates within a population. Here, we investigated the host range of the tomato pathogen Clavibacter michiganensis (Cm). We determined the genome sequences of 40 tomato Cm isolates and screened them for pathogenicity on tomato and eggplant. Our screen revealed that out of the tested isolates, five were unable to cause disease on any of the hosts, 33 were exclusively pathogenic on tomato, and two were capable of infecting both tomato and eggplant. Through comparative genomic analyses, we identified that the five non-pathogenic isolates lacked the chp/tomA pathogenicity island, which has previously been associated with virulence in tomato. In addition, we found that the two eggplant-pathogenic isolates encode a unique allelic variant of the putative serine hydrolase chpG (chpGC), an effector that is recognized in eggplant. Introduction of chpGC into a chpG inactivation mutant in the eggplant-non-pathogenic strain Cm101, failed to complement the mutant, which retained its ability to cause disease in eggplant and failed to elicit hypersensitive response (HR). Conversely, introduction of the chpG variant from Cm101 into an eggplant pathogenic Cm isolate (C48), eliminated its pathogenicity on eggplant, and enabled C48 to elicit HR. Our study demonstrates that allelic variation in the chpG effector gene is a key determinant of host range plasticity within Cm populations.

Clavibacter nebraskensis causing Goss's wilt of maize: Five decades of detaining the enemy in the New World

Goss's bacterial wilt and leaf blight of maize (Zea mays) caused by the gram-positive coryneform bacterium Clavibacter nebraskensis is an economically important disease in North America. C. nebraskensis is included within the high-risk list of quarantine pathogens by several plant protection organizations (EPPO code: CORBMI), hence it is under strict quarantine control around the world. The causal agent was reported for the first time on maize in Nebraska (USA) in 1969. After an outbreak during the 1970s, prevalence of the disease decreased in the 1980s to the early 2000s, before the disease resurged causing a serious threat to maize production in North America. The re-emergence of Goss's wilt in the corn belt of the United States led to several novel achievements in understanding the pathogen biology and disease control. In this review, we provide an updated overview of the pathogen taxonomy, biology, and epidemiology as well as management strategies of Goss's wilt disease. First, a taxonomic history of the pathogen is provided followed by symptomology and host range, genetic diversity, and pathogenicity mechanisms of the bacterium. Then, utility of high-throughput molecular approaches in the precise detection and identification of the pathogen and the management strategies of the disease are explained. Finally, we highlight the role of integrated pest management strategies to combat the risk of Goss's wilt in the 21st century maize industry.

DISEASE SYMPTOMS

Large (2-15 cm) tan to grey elongated oval lesions with wavy, irregular water-soaked margins on the leaves. The lesions often start at the leaf tip or are associated with wounding caused by hail or wind damage. Small (1 mm in diameter), dark, discontinuous water-soaked spots, known as "freckles", can be observed in the periphery of lesions. When backlit, the freckles appear translucent. Early infection (prior to growth stage V6) may become systemic and cause seedlings to wilt, wither, and die. Coalescence of lesions results in leaf blighting.

HOST RANGE

Maize (Zea mays) is the only economic host of the pathogen. A number of Poaceae species are reported to act as secondary hosts for C. nebraskensis.

TAXONOMIC STATUS OF THE PATHOGEN

Class: Actinobacteria; Order: Micrococcales; Family: Microbacteriaceae; Genus: Clavibacter; Species: Clavibacter nebraskensis.

SYNONYMS

Corynebacterium nebraskense (Schuster, 1970) Vidaver & Mandel 1974; Corynebacterium michiganense pv. nebraskense (Vidaver & Mandel 1974) Dye & Kemp 1977; Corynebacterium michiganense subsp. nebraskense (Vidaver & Mandel 1974) Carlson & Vidaver 1982; Clavibacter michiganense subsp. nebraskense (Vidaver & Mandel 1974) Davis et al. 1984; Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. nebraskensis (Vidaver & Mandel 1974) Davis et al. 1984.

TYPE MATERIALS

ATCC 27794^T ; CFBP 2405^T ; ICMP 3298^T ; LMG 3700^T ; NCPPB 2581^T .

MICROBIOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

Cells are gram-positive, orange-pigmented, pleomorphic club- or rod-shaped, nonspore-forming, nonmotile, and without flagella, approximately 0.5 × 1-2.0 μm.

DISTRIBUTION

The pathogen is restricted to Canada and the United States.

PHYTOSANITARY CATEGORIZATION

EPPO code CORBNE.

Modes of Action of Biocontrol Agents and Elicitors for sustainable Protection against Bacterial Canker of Tomato

Tomato is one of the world’s most commonly grown and consumed vegetables. However, it can be attacked by the Gram-positive bacterium Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis (Cmm), which causes bacterial canker on tomato plants, resulting in significant financial losses in field production and greenhouses worldwide. The current management strategies rely principally on the application of various chemical pesticides and antibiotics, which represent a real danger to the environment and human safety. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) have emerged as an attractive alternative to agrochemical crop protection methods. PGPR act through several mechanisms to support plant growth and performance, while also preventing pathogen infection. This review highlights the importance of bacterial canker disease and the pathogenicity of Cmm. We emphasize the application of PGPR as an ecological and cost-effective approach to the biocontrol of Cmm, specifying the complex modes of biocontrol agents (BCAs), and presenting their direct/indirect mechanisms of action that enable them to effectively protect tomato crops. Pseudomonas and Bacillus are considered to be the most interesting PGPR species for the biological control of Cmm worldwide. Improving plants’ innate defense mechanisms is one of the main biocontrol mechanisms of PGPR to manage bacterial canker and to limit its occurrence and gravity. Herein, we further discuss elicitors as a new management strategy to control Cmm, which are found to be highly effective in stimulating the plant immune system, decreasing disease severity, and minimizing pesticide use.

Stable isotope analysis confirms substantial changes in the fatty acid composition of bacteria treated with antimicrobial random peptide mixtures (RPMs)

Resistance of plant-pathogenic bacteria to classic antibiotics has prompted the search for suitable alternative antimicrobial substances. One promising strategy could be the use of purposely synthesized random peptide mixtures (RPMs). Six plant-pathogenic bacteria were cultivated and treated with two RPMs previously found to show antimicrobial activity mainly by bacterial membrane disruption. Here, we show that bacteria treated with RPMs showed partly remarkable changes in the fatty acid pattern while those unaffected did not. Quantitative changes could be verified by compound specific isotope analysis of δ¹³C values (‰). This technique was employed due to the characteristic feature of stronger bonds between heavier isotopes in (bio)chemical reactions. As a proof of concept, the increase in abundance of a fatty acid group after RPM treatment was accompanied with a decrease in the ¹³C content and vice versa. We propose that our findings will help designing and synthesizing more selective antimicrobial peptides.

Immune recognition of the secreted serine protease ChpG restricts the host range of Clavibacter michiganensis from eggplant varieties

Bacterial wilt and canker caused by Clavibacter michiganensis (Cm) inflict considerable damage in tomato-growing regions around the world. Cm has a narrow host range and can cause disease in tomato but not in many eggplant varieties. The pathogenicity of Cm is dependent on secreted serine proteases, encoded by the chp/tomA pathogenicity island (PI), and the pCM2 plasmid. Screening combinations of PI deletion mutants and plasmid-cured strains found that Cm-mediated hypersensitive response (HR) in the Cm-resistant eggplant variety Black Queen is dependent on the chp/tomA PI. Singular reintroduction of PI-encoded serine proteases into Cm∆PI identified that the HR is elicited by the protease ChpG. Eggplant leaves infiltrated with a chpG marker exchange mutant (CmΩchpG) did not display an HR, and infiltration of purified ChpG protein elicited immune responses in eggplant but not in Cm-susceptible tomato. Virulence assays found that while wild-type Cm and the CmΩchpG complemented strain were nonpathogenic on eggplant, CmΩchpG caused wilt and canker symptoms. Additionally, bacterial populations in CmΩchpG-inoculated eggplant stem tissues were c.1000-fold higher than wild-type and CmΩchpG-complemented Cm strains. Pathogenicity tests conducted in multiple Cm-resistance eggplant varieties demonstrated that immunity to Cm is dependent on ChpG in all tested varieties, indicating that ChpG-recognition is conserved in eggplant. ChpG-mediated avirulence interactions were disabled by alanine substitution of serine231 of the serine protease catalytic triad, suggesting that protease activity is required for immune recognition of ChpG. Our study identified ChpG as a novel avirulence protein that is recognized in resistant eggplant varieties and restricts the host range of Cm.

Unmarked Gene Editing in Clavibacter michiganensis Using CRISPR/Cas9 and 5-Fluorocytosine Counterselection

Plant-pathogenic bacteria in the genus Clavibacter are important quarantine species that cause considerable economic loss worldwide. The development of effective gene editing techniques and additional selectable markers is essential to expedite gene functional analysis in this important Gram-positive genus. The current study details a highly efficient unmarked CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing system in Clavibacter michiganensis, which couples the expression of cas9 and single-guide RNA with homology-directed repair templates and the negative selectable marker codA::upp within a single plasmid. Initial experiments indicated that CRISPR/Cas9-mediated transformation could be utilized for both site-directed mutagenesis, in which an A to G point mutation was introduced at the 128th nucleotide of the C. michiganensis rpsL gene to generate a streptomycin-resistant mutant, and complete gene knockout, in which the deletion of the C. michiganensis celA or katA genes resulted in transformants that lacked cellulase and catalase activity, respectively. In subsequent experiments, the introduction of the codA::upp cassette into the transformation vector facilitated the counterselection of unmarked transformants by incubation in the absence of the selective antibiotic, followed by plating on M9 agar containing 5-fluorocytosine at 100 μg/ml, in which an unmarked katA mutant lacking the transformation vector was recovered. Compared with conventional homologous recombination, the unmarked CRISPR/Cas9-mediated system was more useful and convenient because it allowed the template plasmid to be reused repeatedly to facilitate the editing of multiple genes, which constitutes a major advancement that could revolutionize research into C. michiganensis and other Clavibacter spp.[Formula: see text] Copyright © 2021 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license.

A Genetic Toolkit for Investigating Clavibacter Species: Markerless Deletion, Permissive Site Identification, and an Integrative Plasmid

The development of knockout mutants and expression variants are critical for understanding genotype-phenotype relationships. However, advances in these techniques in gram-positive actinobacteria have stagnated over the last decade. Actinobacteria in the Clavibacter genus are composed of diverse crop pathogens that cause a variety of wilt and cankering diseases. Here, we present a suite of tools for genetic manipulation in the tomato pathogen Clavibacter michiganensis including a markerless deletion system, an integrative plasmid, and an R package for identification of permissive sites for plasmid integration. The vector pSelAct-KO is a recombination-based, markerless knockout system that uses dual selection to engineer seamless deletions of a region of interest, providing opportunities for repeated higher-order genetic knockouts. The efficacy of pSelAct-KO was demonstrated in C. michiganensis and was confirmed using whole-genome sequencing. We developed permissR, an R package to identify permissive sites for chromosomal integration, which can be used in conjunction with pSelAct-Express, a nonreplicating integrative plasmid that enables recombination into a permissive genomic location. Expression of enhanced green fluorescent protein by pSelAct-Express was verified in two candidate permissive regions predicted by permissR in C. michiganensis. These molecular tools are essential advances for investigating gram-positive actinobacteria, particularly for important pathogens in the Clavibacter genus.[Formula: see text] Copyright © 2021 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license.

Complete Genome Sequencing Provides Novel Insight Into the Virulence Repertories and Phylogenetic Position of Dry Beans Pathogen Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens

Bacterial wilt of dry beans (family Fabaceae) caused by the actinobacterial agent Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens is one of the most important diseases threatening edible legume production around the globe. Despite the economic losses due to the bacterial wilt disease, the pathogen has not so far been investigated for its genomic features, pathogenicity determinants, and virulence strategies. Here we present the first complete genome sequence of a highly virulent bacteriocin-producing C. flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens strain P990. The bacterium has a circular chromosome consisting of 3,736 kbp with the G+C% content of 71.0%. Furthermore, a 147-kbp circular plasmid (pCff1) with 66.1% G+C% content as well as two circular plasmid-like DNAs with sizes of 25 and 22 kbp were detected within the genomic contents of C. flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that only a few number of Curtobacterium sp. strains deposited in the public databases could be classified within the species C. flaccumfaciens. Comparative genomics of C. flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens using the genome sequences of actinobacterial plant pathogens revealed the presence of a set of unique low G+C% content genomic islands in the C. flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens genome. Homologs of pathogenicity-determinant loci capable of producing 1,4-beta-xylanase (xysA), pectate lyase (pelA1 and pelA2), serine protease (chpC, chpG, and pat-1), and sortase (srtA) were detected in C. flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens genome. The genomic data presented here extend our understanding of the C. flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens genomic features and pave the ways of research on functional and interaction genetics to combat the risk of bacterial wilt disease in the 21st century's dry bean industry.

Plasmid composition and the chpG gene determine the virulence level of Clavibacter capsici natural isolates in pepper

The gram-positive bacterial species Clavibacter capsici causes necrosis and canker in pepper plants. Genomic and functional analyses of C. capsici type strain PF008 have shown that multiple virulence genes exist in its two plasmids. We aimed to identify the key determinants that control the virulence of C. capsici. Pepper leaves inoculated with 54 natural isolates exhibited significant variation in the necrosis. Six isolates showed very low virulence, but their population titres in plants were not significantly different from those of the highly virulent isolates. All six isolates lacked the pCM1Cc plasmid that carries chpG, which has been shown to be required for virulence and encodes a putative serine protease, but two of them, isolates 1,106 and 1,207, had the intact chpG elsewhere in the genome. Genomic analysis of these two isolates revealed that chpG was located in the pCM2Cc plasmid, and two highly homologous regions were present next to the chpG locus. The chpG expression in isolate 1,106 was not induced in plants. Introduction of chpG of the PF008 strain into the six low-virulence isolates restored their virulence to that of PF008. Our findings indicate that there are at least three different variant groups of C. capsici and that the plasmid composition and the chpG gene are critical for determining the virulence level. Moreover, our findings also indicate that the virulence level of C. capsici does not directly correlate with bacterial titres in plants.

Bioactive Secondary Metabolites from Trichoderma spp. against Phytopathogenic Fungi

Phytopathogenic fungi, causing significant economic and production losses, are becoming a serious threat to global food security. Due to an increase in fungal resistance and the hazardous effects of chemical fungicides to human and environmental health, scientists are now engaged to explore alternate non-chemical and ecofriendly management strategies. The use of biocontrol agents and their secondary metabolites (SMs) is one of the potential approaches used today. Trichoderma spp. are well known biocontrol agents used globally. Many Trichoderma species are the most prominent producers of SMs with antimicrobial activity against phytopathogenic fungi. Detailed information about these secondary metabolites, when grouped together, enhances the understanding of their efficient utilization and further exploration of new bioactive compounds for the management of plant pathogenic fungi. The current literature provides the information about SMs of Trichoderma spp. in a different context. In this review, we summarize and group different antifungal SMs of Trichoderma spp. against phytopathogenic fungi along with a comprehensive overview of some aspects related to their chemistry and biosynthesis. Moreover, a brief overview of the biosynthesis pathway, action mechanism, and different approaches for the analysis of SMs and the factors affecting the regulation of SMs in Trichoderma is also discussed.

Complete Assembly of the Genome of an Acidovorax citrulli Strain Reveals a Naturally Occurring Plasmid in This Species

Acidovorax citrulli is the causal agent of bacterial fruit blotch (BFB), a serious threat to cucurbit crop production worldwide. Based on genetic and phenotypic properties, A. citrulli strains are divided into two major groups: group I strains have been generally isolated from melon and other non-watermelon cucurbits, while group II strains are closely associated with watermelon. In a previous study, we reported the genome of the group I model strain, M6. At that time, the M6 genome was sequenced by MiSeq Illumina technology, with reads assembled into 139 contigs. Here, we report the assembly of the M6 genome following sequencing with PacBio technology. This approach not only allowed full assembly of the M6 genome, but it also revealed the occurrence of a ∼53 kb plasmid. The M6 plasmid, named pACM6, was further confirmed by plasmid extraction, Southern-blot analysis of restricted fragments and obtention of M6-derivative cured strains. pACM6 occurs at low copy numbers (average of ∼4.1 ± 1.3 chromosome equivalents) in A. citrulli M6 and contains 63 open reading frames (ORFs), most of which (55.6%) encoding hypothetical proteins. The plasmid contains several genes encoding type IV secretion components, and typical plasmid-borne genes involved in plasmid maintenance, replication and transfer. The plasmid also carries an operon encoding homologs of a Fic-VbhA toxin-antitoxin (TA) module. Transcriptome data from A. citrulli M6 revealed that, under the tested conditions, the genes encoding the components of this TA system are among the highest expressed genes in pACM6. Whether this TA module plays a role in pACM6 maintenance is still to be determined. Leaf infiltration and seed transmission assays revealed that, under tested conditions, the loss of pACM6 did not affect the virulence of A. citrulli M6. We also show that pACM6 or similar plasmids are present in several group I strains, but absent in all tested group II strains of A. citrulli.

Random peptide mixtures as new crop protection agents

Many types of crops are severely affected by at least one important bacterial disease. Chemical control of bacterial plant diseases in the field vastly relies on copper-based bactericides, yet with limited efficacy. In this study, we explored the potential of two random peptide mixture (RPM) models as novel crop protection agents. These unique peptide mixtures consist of random combination of l-phenylalanine and l- or d-lysine (FK-20 and FdK-20, respectively) along the 20 mer chain length of the peptides. Both RPMs displayed powerful bacteriostatic and bactericidal activities towards strains belonging to several plant pathogenic bacterial genera, for example, Xanthomonas, Clavibacter and Pseudomonas. In planta studies in the glasshouse revealed that RPMs significantly reduced disease severity of tomato and kohlrabi plants infected with Xanthomonas perforans and Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris respectively. Moreover, RPM effects on reduction in disease severity were similar to those exerted by the commercial copper-based bactericide Kocide 2000 that was applied at a 12-fold higher concentration of the active compound relative to the RPM treatments. Importantly, the two tested RPM compounds had no toxic effect on survival of bees and Caco-2 mammalian cells. This study demonstrates the potential of these innovative RPMs to serve as crop protection agents against crop diseases caused by phytopathogenic bacteria.

Silver Nanoparticles Complexed with Bovine Submaxillary Mucin Possess Strong Antibacterial Activity and Protect against Seedling Infection

A simple method for the synthesis of nanoparticles (NPs) of silver (Ag) in a matrix of bovine submaxillary mucin (BSM) was reported previously by some of the authors of this study. Based on mucin characteristics such as long-lasting stability, water solubility, and surfactant and adhesive characteristics, we hypothesized that these compounds, named BSM-Ag NPs, may possess favorable properties as potent antimicrobial agents. The goal of this study was to assess whether BSM-Ag NPs possess antibacterial activity, focusing on important plant-pathogenic bacterial strains representing both Gram-negative (Acidovorax and Xanthomonas) and Gram-positive (Clavibacter) genera. Growth inhibition and bactericidal assays, as well as electron microscopic observations, demonstrate that BSM-Ag NPs, at relatively low concentrations of silver, exert strong antimicrobial effects. Moreover, we show that treatment of melon seeds with BSM-Ag NPs effectively prevents seed-to-seedling transmission of Acidovorax citrulli, one of the most threatening pathogens of cucurbit production worldwide. Overall, our findings demonstrate strong antimicrobial activity of BSM-Ag NPs and their potential application for reducing the spread and establishment of devastating bacterial plant diseases in agriculture.IMPORTANCE Bacterial plant diseases challenge agricultural production, and the means available to manage them are limited. Importantly, many plant-pathogenic bacteria have the ability to colonize seeds, and seed-to-seedling transmission is a critical route by which bacterial plant diseases spread to new regions and countries. The significance of our study resides in the following aspects: (i) the simplicity of the method of BSM-Ag NP synthesis, (ii) the advantageous chemical properties of BSM-Ag NPs, (iii) the strong antibacterial activity of BSM-Ag NPs at relatively low concentrations of silver, and (iv) the fact that, in contrast to most studies on the effects of metal NPs on plant pathogens, the proof of concept for the novel compound is supported by in planta assays. Application of this technology is not limited to agriculture; BSM-Ag NPs potentially could be exploited as a potent antimicrobial agent in a wide range of industrial areas, including medicine, veterinary medicine, cosmetics, textiles, and household products.

Multiple plasmid-borne virulence genes of Clavibacter michiganensis ssp. capsici critical for disease development in pepper

Clavibacter michiganensis ssp. capsici is a Gram-positive plant-pathogenic bacterium causing bacterial canker disease in pepper. Virulence genes and mechanisms of C. michiganensis ssp. capsici in pepper have not yet been studied. To identify virulence genes of C. michiganensis ssp. capsici, comparative genome analyses with C. michiganensis ssp. capsici and its related C. michiganensis subspecies, and functional analysis of its putative virulence genes during infection were performed. The C. michiganensis ssp. capsici type strain PF008 carries one chromosome (3.056 Mb) and two plasmids (39 kb pCM1_Cmc and 145 kb pCM2_Cmc ). The genome analyses showed that this bacterium lacks a chromosomal pathogenicity island and celA gene that are important for disease development by C. michiganensis ssp. michiganensis in tomato, but carries most putative virulence genes in both plasmids. Virulence of pCM1_Cmc -cured C. michiganensis ssp. capsici was greatly reduced compared with the wild-type strain in pepper. The complementation analysis with pCM1_Cmc -located putative virulence genes showed that at least five genes, chpE, chpG, ppaA1, ppaB1 and pelA1, encoding serine proteases or pectate lyase contribute to disease development in pepper. In conclusion, C. michiganensis ssp. capsici has a unique genome structure, and its multiple plasmid-borne genes play critical roles in virulence in pepper, either separately or together.

Differential contribution of Clavibacter michiganensis ssp. michiganensis virulence factors to systemic and local infection in tomato

Clavibacter michiganensis ssp. michiganensis (Cmm) causes substantial economic losses in tomato production worldwide. The disease symptoms observed in plants infected systemically by Cmm are wilting and canker on the stem, whereas blister-like spots develop in locally infected leaves. A wide repertoire of serine proteases and cell wall-degrading enzymes has been implicated in the development of wilt and canker symptoms. However, virulence factors involved in the formation of blister-like spots, which play an important role in Cmm secondary spread in tomato nurseries, are largely unknown. Here, we demonstrate that Cmm virulence factors play different roles during blister formation relative to wilting. Inoculation with a green fluorescent protein (GFP)-labelled Cmm382 indicates that penetration occurs mainly through trichomes. When spray inoculated on tomato leaves, the wild-type Cmm382 and Cmm100 (lacking plasmids pCM1 and pCM2) strains form blister-like spots on leaves, whereas Cmm27 (lacking the chp/tomA pathogenicity island) is non-pathogenic, indicating that plasmid-borne genes, which have a crucial role in wilting, are not required for blister formation. Conversely, mutations in chromosomal genes encoding serine proteases (chpC and sbtA), cell wall-degrading enzymes (pgaA and endX/Y), a transcriptional regulator (vatr2), a putative perforin (perF) and a putative sortase (srtA) significantly affect disease incidence and the severity of blister formation. The transcript levels of these genes, as measured by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, showed that, during blister formation, they are expressed early at 8-16 h after inoculation, whereas, during wilting, they are expressed after 24-72 h or expressed at low levels. Plant gene expression studies suggest that chpC is involved in the suppression of host defence.

Characterization and Comparison of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. nebraskensis Strains Recovered from Epiphytic and Symptomatic Infections of Maize in Iowa

Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. nebraskensis (Cmn), the causal organism of Goss’s wilt and leaf blight of maize, can be detected in the phyllosphere of its host prior to disease development. We compared the morphology and pathogenicity of 37 putative isolates of Cmn recovered from asymptomatic and symptomatic maize leaves. Thirty-three of the isolates produced mucoid orange colonies, irrespective of the source of isolation and all but four of these isolates were pathogenic on maize. The remaining 4 isolates recovered from asymptomatic leaves had large fluidal yellow colonies, and were non-pathogenic on maize. Isolates varied in their aggressiveness on a susceptible hybrid of maize but no significant differences in aggressiveness were detected between epiphytic isolates and those recovered from diseased maize tissues. The genomics of Cmn is poorly understood; therefore as a first step to determining what genes may play a role in virulence, we compared 33 putative virulence gene sequences from 6 pathogenic and a non-pathogenic isolate recovered from the phyllosphere. Sequence polymorphisms were detected in 5 genes, cellulase A, two endoglucanases, xylanase B and a pectate lyase but there was no relationship with pathogenicity. Further research is needed to determine what genes play a role in virulence of Cmn. Our data show however, that the virulence factors in Cmn likely differ from those reported for the closely related subspecies michiganensis and sepedonicus.

Putative Serine Protease Effectors of Clavibacter michiganensis Induce a Hypersensitive Response in the Apoplast of Nicotiana Species

Clavibacter michiganensis subspp. michiganensis and sepedonicus cause diseases on solanaceous crops. The genomes of both subspecies encode members of the pat-1 family of putative serine proteases known to function in virulence on host plants and induction of hypersensitive responses (HR) on nonhosts. One gene of this family in C. michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus, chp-7, is required for triggering HR in Nicotiana tabacum. Here, further investigation revealed that mutation of the putative catalytic serine residue at position 232 to threonine abolished the HR induction activity of Chp-7, suggesting that enzymatic activity is required. Purified Chp-7 triggered an HR in N. tabacum leaves in the absence of the pathogen, indicating Chp-7 itself is the HR elicitor from C. michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus. Ectopic expression of chp-7 constructs in N. tabacum leaves revealed that Chp-7 targeted to the apoplast triggered an HR while cytoplasmic Chp-7 did not, indicating that Chp-7 induces the HR in the apoplast of N. tabacum leaves. Chp-7 also induced HR in N. sylvestris, a progenitor of N. tabacum, but not in other Nicotiana species tested. ChpG, a related protein from C. michiganensis subsp. michiganensis, also triggered HR in N. tabacum and N. sylvestris. Unlike Chp-7, ChpG triggered HR in N. clevelandii and N. glutinosa.

Characterizing the Genetic Diversity of the Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis Population in New York

New York Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis isolates, collected from disparate bacterial canker of tomato outbreaks over the past 11 years, were characterized with a multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) scheme that differentiated the 51 isolates into 21 haplotypes with a discriminatory power of 0.944. The MLSA scheme consisted of five housekeeping genes (kdpA, sdhA, dnaA, ligA, and gyrB) and three putative pathogenicity genes (celA, tomA, and nagA). Repetitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR), with the BOX-A1R primer, confirmed the high diversity of C. michiganensis subsp. michiganensis isolates in New York by demonstrating that all six PCR patterns (A, B, 13C, 65C, 81C, and D) were present, with PCR patterns C and A being the most common. The MLSA scheme provided higher resolving power than the current repetitive-PCR approach. The plasmid profiles of New York isolates were diverse and differed from reference strain NCPPB382. PCR analysis indicated that the presence of putative pathogenicity genes varied between isolates and highlighted the ephemeral nature of pathogenicity genes in field populations of C. michiganensis subsp. michiganensis. Analysis of molecular variance between Serbian and New York C. michiganensis subsp. michiganensis isolates demonstrated that the two populations were not significantly different, with 98% genetic variation within each population and only 2% genetic variation between populations.

Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis Vatr1 and Vatr2 Transcriptional Regulators Are Required for Virulence in Tomato

The plant pathogen Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis (Cmm) is a Gram-positive bacterium responsible for wilt and canker disease of tomato. While disease development is well characterized and diagnosed, molecular mechanisms of Cmm virulence are poorly understood. Here, we identified and characterized two Cmm transcriptional regulators, Vatr1 and Vatr2, that are involved in pathogenicity of Cmm. Vatr1 and Vatr2 belong to TetR and MocR families of transcriptional regulators, respectively. Mutations in their corresponding genes caused attenuated virulence, with the Δvatr2 mutant showing a more dramatic effect than Δvatr1. While both mutants grew well in vitro and reached a high titer in planta, they caused reduced wilting and canker development in infected plants compared with the wild-type bacterium. They also led to a reduced expression of the ethylene-synthesizing tomato enzyme ACC-oxidase compared with wild-type Cmm and to reduced ethylene production in the plant. Transcriptomic analysis of wild-type Cmm and the two mutants under infection-mimicking conditions revealed that Vatr1 and Vatr2 regulate expression of virulence factors, membrane and secreted proteins, and signal transducing proteins. A 70% overlap between the sets of genes positively regulated by Vatr1 and Vatr2 suggests that these transcriptional regulators are on the same molecular pathway responsible for Cmm virulence.

Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis Vatr1 and Vatr2 transcriptional regulators are required for virulence in tomato

The plant pathogen Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis is a gram-positive bacterium responsible for wilt and canker disease of tomato. Although disease development is well characterized and diagnosed, molecular mechanisms of C. michiganensis subsp. michiganensis virulence are poorly understood. Here, we identified and characterized two C. michiganensis subsp. michiganensis transcriptional regulators, Vatr1 and Vatr2, that are involved in pathogenicity of C. michiganensis subsp. michiganensis. Vatr1 and Vatr2 belong to TetR and MocR families of transcriptional regulators, respectively. Mutations in their corresponding genes caused attenuated virulence, with the Δvatr2 mutant showing a more dramatic effect than Δvatr1. Although both mutants grew well in vitro and reached a high titer in planta, they caused reduced wilting and canker development in infected plants compared with the wild-type bacterium. They also led to a reduced expression of the ethylene-synthesizing tomato enzyme ACC-oxidase compared with wild-type C. michiganensis subsp. michiganensis and to reduced ethylene production in the plant. Transcriptomic analysis of wild-type C. michiganensis subsp. michiganensis and the two mutants under infection-mimicking conditions revealed that Vatr1 and Vatr2 regulate expression of virulence factors, membrane and secreted proteins, and signal-transducing proteins. A 70% overlap between the sets of genes positively regulated by Vatr1 and Vatr2 suggests that these transcriptional regulators are on the same molecular pathway responsible for C. michiganensis subsp. michiganensis virulence.

Colonization and movement of GFP-labeled Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis during tomato infection

The vascular pathogen Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis is responsible for bacterial wilt and canker of tomato. Pathogenicity of this bacterium is dependent on plasmid-borne virulence factors and serine proteases located on the chromosomal chp/tomA pathogenicity island (PAI). In this study, colonization patterns and movement of C. michiganensis subsp. michiganensis during tomato infection was examined using a green fluorescent protein (GFP)-labeled strain. A plasmid expressing GFP in C. michiganensis subsp. michiganensis was constructed and found to be stable in planta for at least 1 month. Confocal laser-scanning microscopy (CLSM) of inoculated stems showed that the pathogen extensively colonizes the lumen of xylem vessels and preferentially attaches to spiral secondary wall thickening of the protoxylem. Acropetal movement of the wild-type strain C. michiganensis subsp. michiganensis NCPPB382 (Cmm382) in tomato resulted in an extensive systemic colonization of the whole plant reaching the apical region after 15 days, whereas Cmm100 (lacking the plasmids pCM1 and pCM2) or Cmm27 (lacking the chp/tomA PAI) remained confined to the area surrounding of the inoculation site. Cmm382 formed biofilm-like structures composed of large bacterial aggregates on the interior of xylem walls as observed by CLSM and scanning electron microscopy. These findings suggest that virulence factors located on the chp/tomA PAI or the plasmids are required for effective movement of the pathogen in tomato and for the formation of cellular aggregates.

The Clavibacter michiganensis subspecies: molecular investigation of gram-positive bacterial plant pathogens

Clavibacter michiganensis subspecies are actinomycete plant pathogens residing mainly in the xylem vessels that infect economically important host plants. In the Clavibacter subspecies michiganensis and sepedonicus, infecting tomato and potato, respectively, essential factors for disease induction are plasmid encoded and loss of the virulence plasmids converts these biotrophic pathogens into endophytes. The genes responsible for successful colonization of the host plant, including evasion/suppression of plant defense reactions, are chromosomally encoded. Several serine proteases seem to be involved in colonization. They are secreted by Clavibacter, but their targets remain unknown. A type 3 secretion system (T3SS) translocating effectors into the plant cells is absent in these gram-positive pathogens. With the development of the modern 'omics technologies for RNA and proteins based on the known genome sequences, a new phase in the investigation of the mechanisms of plant pathogenicity has begun to allow the genome-wide investigation of the Clavibacter-host interaction.

Microbial Utilization of Free and Clay-Bound Insecticidal Toxins from Bacillus thuringiensis and Their Retention of Insecticidal Activity after Incubation with Microbes

The insecticidal toxins produced by Bacillus thuringiensis subspp. kurstaki and tenebrionis were resistant when bound on clays, but not when free, to utilization by pure and mixed cultures of microbes as sources of carbon and carbon plus nitrogen, and their availability as a nitrogen source was reduced. The bound toxins retained insecticidal activity both before and after exposure to microbes or pronase. The insecticidal activity of the toxins persisted for 40 days (the longest time evaluated) in nonsterile soil continuously maintained at the -33-kPa water tension and room temperature, alternately air dried and rewetted to the -33-kPa water tension, or alternately frozen and thawed, although alternate drying and wetting reduced the activity.

Sequential expression of bacterial virulence and plant defense genes during infection of tomato with Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis

The molecular interactions between Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis and tomato plant were studied by following the expression of bacterial virulence and host-defense genes during early stages of infection. The C. michiganensis subsp. michiganensis genes included the plasmid-borne cellulase (celA) and the serine protease (pat-1), and the serine proteases chpC and ppaA, residing on the chp/tomA pathogenicity island (PAI). Gene expression was measured following tomato inoculation with Cmm382 (wild type), Cmm100 (lacking the plasmids pCM1 and pCM2), and Cmm27 (lacking the PAI). Transcriptional analysis revealed that celA and pat-1 were significantly induced in Cmm382 at initial 12 to 72 h, whereas chpC and ppaA were highly expressed only 96 h after inoculation. Interdependence between the expression of chromosomal and of plasmid-located genes was revealed: expression of celA and pat-1 was substantially reduced in the absence of the chp/tomA PAI, whereas chpC and ppaA expressions were reduced in the absence of the virulence plasmids. Transcription of chromosomal genes involved in cell wall degradation (i.e., pelA1, celB, xysA, and xysB), was also induced at early stages of infection. Expression of the host-defense genes, chitinase class II and pathogenesis-related protein-5 isoform was induced in the absence of the PAI at early stages of infection, suggesting that PAI-located genes are involved in suppression of tomato basal defenses.

The genome sequence of the tomato-pathogenic actinomycete Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis NCPPB382 reveals a large island involved in pathogenicity

Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis is a plant-pathogenic actinomycete that causes bacterial wilt and canker of tomato. The nucleotide sequence of the genome of strain NCPPB382 was determined. The chromosome is circular, consists of 3.298 Mb, and has a high G+C content (72.6%). Annotation revealed 3,080 putative protein-encoding sequences; only 26 pseudogenes were detected. Two rrn operons, 45 tRNAs, and three small stable RNA genes were found. The two circular plasmids, pCM1 (27.4 kbp) and pCM2 (70.0 kbp), which carry pathogenicity genes and thus are essential for virulence, have lower G+C contents (66.5 and 67.6%, respectively). In contrast to the genome of the closely related organism Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus, the genome of C. michiganensis subsp. michiganensis lacks complete insertion elements and transposons. The 129-kb chp/tomA region with a low G+C content near the chromosomal origin of replication was shown to be necessary for pathogenicity. This region contains numerous genes encoding proteins involved in uptake and metabolism of sugars and several serine proteases. There is evidence that single genes located in this region, especially genes encoding serine proteases, are required for efficient colonization of the host. Although C. michiganensis subsp. michiganensis grows mainly in the xylem of tomato plants, no evidence for pronounced genome reduction was found. C. michiganensis subsp. michiganensis seems to have as many transporters and regulators as typical soil-inhabiting bacteria. However, the apparent lack of a sulfate reduction pathway, which makes C. michiganensis subsp. michiganensis dependent on reduced sulfur compounds for growth, is probably the reason for the poor survival of C. michiganensis subsp. michiganensis in soil.

Identification of homologues to the pathogenicity factor Pat-1, a putative serine protease of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis

Hybridization of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis total DNA against the pathogenicity gene pat-1 indicated the presence of pat-1 homologous nucleotide sequences on the chromosome and on plasmid pCM2. Isolation of the corresponding DNA fragments and nucleotide sequence determination showed that there are three pat-1 homologous genes: chpA (chromosome) and phpA and phpB (plasmid pCM2). The gene products share common characteristics, i.e. a signal sequence for Sec-dependent secretion, a serine protease motif, and six cysteine residues at conserved positions. Gene chpA located on the chromosome is a pseudogene since it contains a translational stop codon after 97 of 280 amino acids. In contrast to pat-1, cloning of the plasmid encoded homologs phpA and phpB into the avirulent plasmid free Cmm strain CMM100 did not result in a virulent phenotype. So far, no proteolytic activity could be demonstrated for Pat-1, however, site specific mutagenesis of pat-1 showed that the serine residue in the motif GDSGG is required for the virulent phenotype of pat-1 and thus Pat-1 could be a functional protease.

Identification of a tomatinase in the tomato-pathogenic actinomycete Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis NCPPB382

The insertion site of a transposon mutant of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis NCPPB382 was cloned and found to be located in the gene tomA encoding a member of the glycosyl hydrolase family 10. The intact gene was obtained from a cosmid library of C. michiganensis subsp. michiganensis. The deduced protein TomA (543 amino acids, 58 kDa) contains a predicted signal peptide and two domains, the N-terminal catalytic domain and a C-terminal fibronectin III-like domain. The closest well-characterized relatives of TomA were tomatinases from fungi involved in the detoxification of the tomato saponin alpha-tomatine which acts as a growth inhibitor. Growth inhibition of C. michiganensis subsp. michiganensis by alpha-tomatine was stronger in the tomA mutants than in the wild type. Tomatinase activity assayed by deglycosylation of alpha-tomatine to tomatidine was demonstrated in concentrated culture supernatants of C. michiganensis subsp. michiganensis. No activity was found with the tomA mutants. However, neither the transposon mutant nor a second mutant constructed by gene disruption was affected in virulence on the tomato cv. Moneymaker.

Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis: first steps in the understanding of virulence of a Gram-positive phytopathogenic bacterium

Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis is a plant-pathogenic actinomycete. It infects tomato, spreads through the xylem and causes bacterial wilt and canker. The wild-type strain NCPPB382 carries two plasmids, pCM1 and pCM2. The cured plasmid-free derivative CMM100 is still able to colonize tomato, but no disease symptoms develop indicating that all genes required for successful infection, establishment and growth in the plant reside on the chromosome. Both plasmids carry one virulence factor, a gene encoding a cellulase, CelA in case of pCM1 and a putative serine protease Pat-1 on pCM2. These genes can independently convert the non-virulent strain CMM100 into a pathogen causing wilt on tomatoes. Currently, genome projects for Cmm and the closely related potato-pathogen C. michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus have been initiated. The data from the genome project shall give clues on further genes involved in plant-microbe interaction that can be tested experimentally. Especially, identification of genes related to host-specificity through genome comparison of the two subspecies might be possible.

Identification of three genes encoding P(II)-like proteins in Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus: studies of their role(s) in the control of nitrogen fixation

In our studies on the regulation of nitrogen metabolism in Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus, an endophytic diazotroph of sugarcane, three glnB-like genes were identified and their role(s) in the control of nitrogen fixation was studied. Sequence analysis revealed that one P(II) protein-encoding gene, glnB, was adjacent to a glnA gene (encoding glutamine synthetase) and that two other P(II) protein-encoding genes, identified as glnK1 and glnK2, were located upstream of amtB1 and amtB2, respectively, genes which in other organisms encode ammonium (or methylammonium) transporters. Single and double mutants and a triple mutant with respect to the three P(II) protein-encoding genes were constructed, and the effects of the mutations on nitrogenase expression and activity in the presence of either ammonium starvation or ammonium sufficiency were studied. Based on the results presented here, it is suggested that none of the three P(II) homologs is required for nif gene expression, that the GlnK2 protein acts primarily as an inhibitor of nif gene expression, and that GlnB and GlnK1 control the expression of nif genes in response to ammonium availability, both directly and by relieving the inhibition by GlnK2. This model includes novel regulatory features of P(II) proteins.

Site-Directed Disruption of the fimA and fimF Fimbrial Genes of Xylella fastidiosa

ABSTRACT Xylella fastidiosa causes Pierce's disease, a serious disease of grape, citrus variegated chlorosis, almond and oleander leaf scorches, and many other similar diseases. Although the complete genome sequences of several strains of this organism are now available, the function of most genes in this organism, especially those conferring virulence, is lacking. Attachment of X. fastidiosa to xylem vessels and insect vectors may be required for virulence and transmission; therefore, we disrupted fimA and fimF, genes encoding the major fimbrial protein FimA and a homolog of the fimbrial adhesin MrkD, to determine their role in the attachment process. Disruption of the fimA and fimF genes in Temecula1 and STL grape strains of X. fastidiosa was obtained by homologous recombination using plasmids pFAK and pFFK, respectively. These vectors contained a kanamycin resistance gene cloned into either the fimA or fimF genes of X. fastidiosa grape strains Temecula1 or STL. Efficiency of transformation was sufficiently high ( approximately 600 transformants per mug of pFFK DNA) to enable selection of rare recombination events. Polymerase chain reaction and Southern blot analyses of the mutants indicated that a double crossover event had occurred exclusively within the fimA and fimF genes, replacing the chromosomal gene with the disrupted gene and abolishing production of the corresponding proteins, FimA or FimF. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that fimbriae size and number, cell aggregation, and cell size were reduced for the FimA or FimF mutants of X. fastidiosa when compared with the parental strain. FimA or FimF mutants of X. fastidiosa remained pathogenic to grapevines, with bacterial populations slightly reduced compared with those of the wild-type X. fastidiosa cells. These mutants maintained their resistance to kanamycin in planta for at least 6 months in the greenhouse.

A highly efficient transposon mutagenesis system for the tomato pathogen Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis

A transposon mutagenesis system for Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis was developed based on antibiotic resistance transposons that were derived from the insertion element IS1409 from Arthrobacter sp. strain TM1 NCIB12013. As a prerequisite, the electroporation efficiency was optimized by using unmethylated DNA and treatment of the cells with glycine such that about 5 x 10(6) transformants per microg of DNA were generally obtained. Electroporation of C. michiganensis subsp. michiganensis with a suicide vector carrying transposon Tn1409C resulted in approximately 1 x 10(3) transposon mutants per pg of DNA and thus is suitable for saturation mutagenesis. Analysis of Tn1409C insertion sites suggests a random mode of transposition. Transposition of Tn1409C was also demonstrated for other subspecies of C. michiganensis.

The endo-beta-1,4-glucanase CelA of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis is a pathogenicity determinant required for induction of bacterial wilt of tomato

The phytopathogenic bacterium Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis NCPPB382, which causes bacterial wilt and canker of tomato, harbors two plasmids, pCM1 (27.35 kb) and pCM2 (72 kb), encoding genes involved in virulence (D. Meletzus, A. Bermpohl, J. Dreier, and R. Eichenlaub, 1993, J. Bacteriol. 175:2131-2136; J. Dreier, D. Meletzus, and R. Eichenlaub, 1997, Mol. Plant-Microbe Interact. 10:195-206). The region of pCM1 carrying the endoglucanase gene celA was mapped by deletion analysis and complementation. RNA hybridization identified a 2.4-knt (kilonucleotide) transcript of the celA structural gene and the transcriptional initiation site was mapped. The celA gene encodes CelA, a protein of 78 kDa (746 amino acids) with similarity to endo-beta-1,4-glucanases of family A1 cellulases. CelA has a three-domain structure with a catalytic domain, a type IIa-like cellulose-binding domain, and a C-terminal domain. We present evidence that CelA plays a major role in pathogenicity, since wilt induction capability is obtained by endoglucanase expression in plasmid-free, nonvirulent strains and by complementation of the CelA- gene-replacement mutant CMM-H4 with the wild-type celA gene.

Transmission Frequency of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. insidiosus to Alfalfa Seed and Identification of the Bacterium by PCR

A sensitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based identification method was developed for Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. insidiosus, the causal agent of alfalfa bacterial wilt. The method, which targets a high-copy-number insertion element, is rapid and specific for this plant pathogen. The assay was used to determine the frequency of transmission of the pathogen to alfalfa seed. Seed was produced from infected plants grown and pollinated in the greenhouse, from infected plants grown in the field and transplanted to the greenhouse to produce seed, and from diseased 2-year-old field-grown plants. Seed from each infected plant were assayed to identify infected seed lots. Seed were ground to a fine powder and soaked in a liquid medium, after which a portion of the seed slurry was plated on a semi-selective agar medium. The PCR assay was used to identify C. michiganensis subsp. insidiosus colonies on plates. Approximately 6.3 to 7.7% of diseased plants transmitted C. michiganensis subsp. insidiosus to seed. In assays in which individual seed were analyzed from infected seed lots, approximately 2.5 to 8.7% of seed contained the bacterium.

Characterization of the glnK-amtB operon of Azotobacter vinelandii

To determine whether in Azotobacter vinelandii the PII protein influences the regulation of nif gene expression in response to fluxes in the ammonium supply, the gene encoding PII was isolated and characterized. Its deduced translation product was highly similar to PII proteins from other organisms, with the greatest degree of relatedness being exhibited to the Escherichia coli glnK gene product. A gene designated amtB was found downstream of and was contranscribed with glnK as in E. coli. The AmtB protein is similar to functionally characterized ammonium transport proteins from a few other eukaryotes and one other prokaryote. glnK and amtB comprise an operon. Attempts to isolate a stable glnK mutant strain were unsuccessful, suggesting that glnK, like glnA, is an essential gene in A. vinelandii. amtB mutants were isolated, and although growth on limiting amounts of ammonium was similar in the mutant and wild-type strains, the mutants were unable to transport [14C]methylammonium.

Protein(s) from the Gram-Positive Bacterium Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis Induces a Hypersensitive Response in Plants

ABSTRACT The gram-positive tomato pathogen Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis induced a local necrotic response on four-o'clock (Mirabilis jalapa) and tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) plants. This necrosis response was characteristic of the hypersensitive response (HR). The cell-free culture supernatant from strain CMM623 also induced a necrosis that was phenotypically similar to that induced by the bacteria. Inhibitors of plant metabolism suppressed the necrotic reaction of both M. jalapa and tobacco. The HR-inducing activity present in the supernatant was heat stable, sensitive to proteases, and had an apparent molecular mass in the range of 35 to 50 kDa as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The properties observed for the necrosis-inducing activity resembled harpin and PopA described from gram-negative phytopathogenic bacteria.

Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. Sepedonicus Elicits a Hypersensitive Response in Tobacco and Secretes Hypersensitive Response-Inducing Protein(s)

ABSTRACT Strains of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus, causal agent of bacterial ring rot of potato, showed marked differences in virulence on host plants. When infiltrated into tobacco leaves, virulent strains caused a rapid localized necrotic response (within 24 to 48 h) characteristic of the hypersensitive response (HR), whereas nonpathogenic strains did not. Concentrated cell-free culture supernatants (CCS) from virulent strains caused a necrotic reaction on tobacco, whereas CCS from nonpathogenic strains did not. The necrosis-inducing activity was heat stable and protease sensitive. Inhibitors of eukaryotic metabolism suppressed the necrotic reaction of tobacco to CCS. No necrotic response was observed when host plants were infiltrated with either cells or CCS from virulent strains. HR-inducing protein(s) from a virulent strain separated from the majority of other proteins on DEAE cellulose at 250 to 300 mM NaCl. Ammonium sulfate-precipitated proteins from a virulent strain produced a necrotic reaction at a total protein concentration of 18 mug/ml, whereas those from a nonpathogenic strain did not, even at a concentration of 180 mug/ml. We conclude that virulent strains of C. michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus elicit a typical HR in tobacco and secrete proteinaceous elicitor(s) of the nonhost HR.

Characterization of the plasmid encoded virulence region pat-1 of phytopathogenic Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis

The tomato pathogen Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis NCPPB382, causing bacterial wilt and canker, harbors two plasmids, pCM1 (27.5 kb) and pCM2 (72 kb), carrying genes involved in virulence. The region of plasmid pCM2 encoding the pathogenicity locus pat-1 was mapped by deletion analysis and complementation studies to a 1.5-kb Bg/II/SmaI DNA fragment. Introduction of the pat-1 region into endophytic, plasmid-free isolates of C. michiganensis subsp. michiganensis converted these bacteria into virulent pathogens. Based on the nucleotide sequence of the pat-1 region, an open reading frame (ORF1) can be predicted, coding for a protein of 280 amino acids and 29.7 kDa with homology to serine proteases. Introduction of a frame-shift mutation in ORF1 leads to a loss of the pathogenic phenotype. Northern (RNA) hybridizations identified an 1.5-knt transcript of the pat-1 structural gene. The site of transcription initiation was mapped by primer extension and a typical -10/-35 region was located with significant homology to the consensus Escherichia coli sigma 70 and Bacillus subtilis sigma 43 promoters. Downstream of the pat-1 structural gene, a peculiar repetitive sequence motif (pat-1rep) is located, consisting of 20 direct tandem repeats preceded by a run of 14 guanosine residues. DNA sequences homologous to pat-1rep were isolated and characterized from four virulent C. michiganensis subsp. michiganensis strains exhibiting a high extent of structural conservation. The deletion of this repetitive sequence reduced virulence significantly but did not lead to a complete loss of the virulence phenotype.

Stable transformation of the gram-positive phytopathogenic bacterium Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus with several cloning vectors

In this paper we describe transformation of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus, the potato ring rot bacterium, with plasmid vectors. Three of the plasmids used, pDM100, pDM302, and pDM306, contain the origin of replication from pCM1, a native plasmid of C. michiganensis subsp. michiganensis. We constructed two new cloning vectors, pHN205 and pHN216, by using the origin of replication of pCM2, another native plasmid of C. michiganensis subsp. michiganensis. Plasmids pDM302, pHN205, and pHN216 were stably maintained without antibiotic selection in various strains of C. michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus. We observed that for a single plasmid, different strains of C. michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus showed significantly different transformation efficiencies. We also found unexplained strain-to-strain differences in stability with various plasmid constructions containing different arrangements of antibiotic resistance genes and origins of replication. We examined the effect of a number of factors on transformation efficiency. The best transformation efficiencies were obtained when C. michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus cells were grown on DM agar plates, harvested during the early exponential growth phase, and used fresh (without freezing) for electroporation. The maximal transformation efficiency obtained was 4.6 x 10(4) CFU/microgram of pHN216 plasmid DNA. To demonstrate the utility of this transformation system, we cloned a beta-1,4-endoglucanase-encoding gene from C. michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus into pHN216. When this construction, pHN216:C8, was electroporated into competent cells of a cellulase-deficient mutant, it restored cellulase production to almost wild-type levels.

Molecular analysis of pentachlorophenol degradation

A limited number of microorganisms have been described for their ability to partially degrade pentachlorophenol (PCP), or to completely mineralize it. Several years ago we chose one of these microorganisms, Flavobacterium sp. strain ATCC 39723, for use in a detailed molecular analysis of the catabolism of PCP. This strain was chosen because it had previously been studied in great detail for its growth characteristics in relation to degradation of PCP. In this paper we provide an overview of the degradation pathway of PCP to 2,6-dichloro-p-hydroquinone by Flavobacterium. The specific biochemical reactions and the genes encoding the enzymes are reviewed. The successful transformation and site specific mutagenesis of Flavobacterium, as well as the discovery of two new pcp alleles is also presented.

Evidence for plasmid-encoded virulence factors in the phytopathogenic bacterium Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis NCPPB382

The tomato pathogen Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis NCPPB382, which causes bacterial wilt, harbors two plasmids pCM1 (27.5 kb) and pCM2 (72 kb). After curing of the plasmids, bacterial derivatives were still proficient in the ability to colonize the host plant and in the production of exopolysaccharides but exhibited a reduced virulence. When one of the two plasmids is lost, there is a significant delay in the development of wilting symptoms after infection and a plasmid-free derivative is not able to induce disease symptoms. By cloning of restriction fragments of both plasmids in the plasmid-free strain CMM100, two DNA fragments which restored the virulent phenotype were identified. Further analysis suggested that a fragment of plasmid pCM1 encodes an endocellulase which is involved in the expression of the pathogenic phenotype.

Transformation of the gram-positive bacterium Clavibacter xyli subsp. cynodontis by electroporation with plasmids from the IncP incompatibility group

We report the transformation of a gram-positive bacterium, Clavibacter xyli subsp. cynodontis, with several plasmids in the IncP incompatibility group from gram-negative bacteria. Our results suggest that IncP plasmids may be transferable to other gram-positive organisms. After optimizing electroporation parameters, we obtained a maximum of 2 x 10(5) transformants per microgram of DNA. The availability of a transformation system for this bacteria will facilitate its use in indirectly expressing beneficial traits in plants.

Construction of a hybrid plasmid capable of replication in Amycolatopsis mediterranei

A new plasmid, pA387, has been isolated from "Amycolatopsis sp." (DSM 43387). This plasmid could be isolated from liquid culture as well as mycelium from agar plates by a modified procedure. Plasmid pA387 is about 29.6 kb and can be cured at low frequency by protoplasting and ethidium bromide and heat treatment. Hybridization experiments showed that this plasmid is present in free form and does not integrate into the chromosome. A hybrid plasmid was constructed by cloning a 5.1-kb fragment of pA387 into the Escherichia coli vector pDM10. This hybrid plasmid, termed pRL1, could be transformed into Amycolatopsis mediterranei and A. orientalis by electroporation. A transformation frequency of 2.2 x 10(3) transformants per micrograms of DNA at 12.5 kV/cm and a pulse duration of 10.8 ms was obtained in A. mediterranei, whereas 1.1 x 10(5) transformants per microgram of DNA were obtained at a field strength of 7.5 kV/cm and a pulse duration of 7.6 ms in A. orientalis. Plasmid pRL1 is the first hybrid plasmid which could be used successfully for the transformation of A. mediterranei. The plasmid has a rather high copy number, is genetically stable, and can be easily reisolated from A. mediterranei. Plasmid pRL1 will be useful for further construction of a shuttle vector for E. coli and A. mediterranei and becomes the basis for the development of gene cloning techniques in Amycolatopsis spp.