1
|
Kang J, Yoon HM, Jung J, Yu S, Choi SY, Bae HW, Cho YH, Chung EH, Lee Y. Pleiotropic effects of N-acylhomoserine lactone synthase ExpI on virulence, competition, and transmission in Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum Pcc21. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2024; 80:687-697. [PMID: 37758685 DOI: 10.1002/ps.7797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pectobacterium species are necrotrophic phytopathogenic bacteria that cause soft rot disease in economically important crops. The successful infection of host plants relies on interactions among virulence factors, competition, and transmission within hosts. Pectobacteria primarily produce and secrete plant cell-wall degrading enzymes (PCWDEs) for virulence. The regulation of PCWDEs is controlled by quorum sensing (QS). Thus, the QS system is crucial for disease development in pectobacteria through PCWDEs. RESULTS In this study, we identified a Tn-insertion mutant, M2, in the expI gene from a transposon mutant library of P. carotovorum subsp. carotovorum Pcc21 (hereafter Pcc21). The mutant exhibited reduced production and secretion of PCWDEs, impaired flagellar motility, and increased sensitivity to hydrogen peroxide, resulting in attenuated soft rot symptoms in cabbage and potato tubers. Transcriptomic analysis revealed the down-regulation of genes involved in the production and secretion in the mutant, consistent with the observed phenotype. Furthermore, the Pcc21 wild-type transiently colonized in the gut of Drosophila melanogaster within 12 h after feeding, while the mutant compromised colonization phenotype. Interestingly, Pcc21 produces a bacteriocin, carocin D, to compete with other bacteria. The mutant exhibited up-regulation of carocin D-encoding genes (caroDK) and inhibited the growth of a closely related bacterium, P. wasabiae. CONCLUSION Our results demonstrated the significance of ExpI in the overall pathogenic lifestyle of Pcc21, including virulence, competition, and colonization in plant and insect hosts. These findings suggest that disease outcome is a result of complex interactions mediated by ExpI across multiple steps. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jihee Kang
- Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, CHA University, Pocheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Hye Min Yoon
- Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, CHA University, Pocheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaejoon Jung
- Department of Life Science, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seonmi Yu
- Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, CHA University, Pocheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Shin-Yae Choi
- Department of Pharmacy, and Institutes of Pharmaceutical Sciences, CHA University, Seongnam, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee-Won Bae
- Department of Life Science, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - You-Hee Cho
- Department of Pharmacy, and Institutes of Pharmaceutical Sciences, CHA University, Seongnam, Republic of Korea
| | - Eui-Hwan Chung
- Department of Plant Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yunho Lee
- Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, CHA University, Pocheon, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Yu S, Kang J, Chung EH, Lee Y. Disruption of the metC Gene Affects Methionine Biosynthesis in Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum Pcc21 and Reduces Soft-Rot Disease. THE PLANT PATHOLOGY JOURNAL 2023; 39:62-74. [PMID: 36760050 PMCID: PMC9929172 DOI: 10.5423/ppj.oa.09.2022.0135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Plant pathogenic Pectobacterium species cause severe soft rot/blackleg diseases in many economically important crops worldwide. Pectobacterium utilizes plant cell wall degrading enzymes (PCWDEs) as the main virulence determinants for its pathogenicity. In this study, we screened a random mutant, M29 is a transposon insertion mutation in the metC gene encoding cystathionine β-lyase that catalyzes cystathionine to homocysteine at the penultimate step in methionine biosynthesis. M29 became a methionine auxotroph and resulted in growth defects in methionine-limited conditions. Impaired growth was restored with exogenous methionine or homocysteine rather than cystathionine. The mutant exhibited reduced soft rot symptoms in Chinese cabbages and potato tubers, maintaining activities of PCWDEs and swimming motility. The mutant was unable to proliferate in both Chinese cabbages and potato tubers. The reduced virulence was partially restored by a complemented strain or 100 µM of methionine, whereas it was fully restored by the extremely high concentration (1 mM). Our transcriptomic analysis showed that genes involved in methionine biosynthesis or transporter were downregulated in the mutant. Our results demonstrate that MetC is important for methionine biosynthesis and transporter and influences its virulence through Pcc21 multiplication in plant hosts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Seonmi Yu
- Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, CHA University, Pocheon 11160,
Korea
| | - Jihee Kang
- Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, CHA University, Pocheon 11160,
Korea
| | - Eui-Hwan Chung
- Department of Plant Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul 02841,
Korea
| | - Yunho Lee
- Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, CHA University, Pocheon 11160,
Korea
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Krukiewicz K, Kazek-Kęsik A, Brzychczy-Włoch M, Łos MJ, Ateba CN, Mehrbod P, Ghavami S, Shyntum DY. Recent Advances in the Control of Clinically Important Biofilms. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23179526. [PMID: 36076921 PMCID: PMC9455909 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23179526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Biofilms are complex structures formed by bacteria, fungi, or even viruses on biotic and abiotic surfaces, and they can be found in almost any part of the human body. The prevalence of biofilm-associated diseases has increased in recent years, mainly because of the frequent use of indwelling medical devices that create opportunities for clinically important bacteria and fungi to form biofilms either on the device or on the neighboring tissues. As a result of their resistance to antibiotics and host immunity factors, biofilms have been associated with the development or persistence of several clinically important diseases. The inability to completely eradicate biofilms drastically increases the burden of disease on both the patient and the healthcare system. Therefore, it is crucial to develop innovative ways to tackle the growth and development of biofilms. This review focuses on dental- and implant-associated biofilm infections, their prevalence in humans, and potential therapeutic intervention strategies, including the recent advances in pharmacology and biomedical engineering. It lists current strategies used to control the formation of clinically important biofilms, including novel antibiotics and their carriers, antiseptics and disinfectants, small molecule anti-biofilm agents, surface treatment strategies, and nanostructure functionalization, as well as multifunctional coatings particularly suitable for providing antibacterial effects to the surface of implants, to treat either dental- or implant-related bacterial infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Krukiewicz
- Department of Physical Chemistry and Technology of Polymers, Silesian University of Technology, M. Strzody 9, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
- Centre for Organic and Nanohybrid Electronics, Silesian University of Technology, Konarskiego 22B, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
- Correspondence: (K.K.); (D.Y.S.); Tel.: +48-32-237-1773 (K.K.)
| | - Alicja Kazek-Kęsik
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry and Electrochemistry, Silesian University of Technology, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
- Biotechnology Centre, Silesian University of Technology, Krzywoustego 8 Street, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
| | - Monika Brzychczy-Włoch
- Department of Molecular Medical Microbiology, Chair of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Czysta 18 Street, 31-121 Krakow, Poland
| | - Marek J. Łos
- Department of Pathology, Pomeranian Medical University, 71-344 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Collins Njie Ateba
- Food Security and Safety Niche Area, North West University, Private Bag X2046, Mahikeng 2735, South Africa
| | - Parvaneh Mehrbod
- Influenza and Respiratory Viruses Department, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran 1316943551, Iran
| | - Saeid Ghavami
- Faculty of Medicine in Zabrze, University of Technology in Katowice, Academia of Silesia, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland
- Research Institute of Oncology and Hematology, Cancer Care Manitoba-University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3P5, Canada
- Biology of Breathing Theme, Children Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3P5, Canada
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, University of Manitoba College of Medicine, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3P5, Canada
| | - Divine Yufetar Shyntum
- Biotechnology Centre, Silesian University of Technology, Krzywoustego 8 Street, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
- Correspondence: (K.K.); (D.Y.S.); Tel.: +48-32-237-1773 (K.K.)
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Zhang Y, Chu H, Yu L, He F, Gao Y, Tang L. Analysis of the Taxonomy, Synteny, and Virulence Factors for Soft Rot Pathogen Pectobacterium aroidearum in Amorphophallus konjac Using Comparative Genomics. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:868709. [PMID: 35910650 PMCID: PMC9326479 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.868709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial soft rot is a devastating disease for a wide range of crops, vegetables, and ornamental plants including konjac (Amorphophallus konjac). However, the pangenome and genomic plasticity of the konjac soft rot pathogens is little explored. In this study, we reported the complete genome sequences of 11 bacterial isolates that can cause typical soft rot symptoms in konjac by in vitro and in vivo pathogenicity tests. Based on in silico DNA–DNA hybridization, average nucleotide identity and phylogenomic analysis, all 11 isolates were determined to be Pectobacterium aroidearum. In addition, synteny analysis of these genomes revealed considerable chromosomal inversions, one of which is triggered by homologous recombination of ribose operon. Pangenome analysis and COG enrichment analysis showed that the pangenome of P. aroidearum is open and that accessory genes are enriched in replication, recombination, and repair. Variations in type IV secretion system and type VI secretion system were found, while plant cell wall degrading enzymes were conserved. Furthermore, sequence analyses also provided evidence for the presence of a type V secretion system in Pectobacterium. These findings advance our understanding of the pathogenicity determinants, genomic plasticity, and evolution of P. aroidearum.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yanan Zhang
- College of Biological Resource and Food Engineering, Yunnan Engineering Research Center of Fruit Wine, Qujing Normal University, Qujing, China
| | - Honglong Chu
- College of Biological Resource and Food Engineering, Yunnan Engineering Research Center of Fruit Wine, Qujing Normal University, Qujing, China
| | - Liqiong Yu
- College of Biological Resource and Food Engineering, Yunnan Engineering Research Center of Fruit Wine, Qujing Normal University, Qujing, China
| | - Fei He
- School of Modern Agriculture and Biotechnology, Ankang University, Ankang, China
| | - Yong Gao
- College of Biological Resource and Food Engineering, Yunnan Engineering Research Center of Fruit Wine, Qujing Normal University, Qujing, China
| | - Lizhou Tang
- College of Life Sciences, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, China
- *Correspondence: Lizhou Tang,
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Groisman EA, Duprey A, Choi J. How the PhoP/PhoQ System Controls Virulence and Mg 2+ Homeostasis: Lessons in Signal Transduction, Pathogenesis, Physiology, and Evolution. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2021; 85:e0017620. [PMID: 34191587 PMCID: PMC8483708 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.00176-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The PhoP/PhoQ two-component system governs virulence, Mg2+ homeostasis, and resistance to a variety of antimicrobial agents, including acidic pH and cationic antimicrobial peptides, in several Gram-negative bacterial species. Best understood in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, the PhoP/PhoQ system consists o-regulated gene products alter PhoP-P amounts, even under constant inducing conditions. PhoP-P controls the abundance of hundreds of proteins both directly, by having transcriptional effects on the corresponding genes, and indirectly, by modifying the abundance, activity, or stability of other transcription factors, regulatory RNAs, protease regulators, and metabolites. The investigation of PhoP/PhoQ has uncovered novel forms of signal transduction and the physiological consequences of regulon evolution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo A. Groisman
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Yale Microbial Sciences Institute, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Alexandre Duprey
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Jeongjoon Choi
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Tanui CK, Shyntum DY, Sedibane PK, Bellieny-Rabelo D, Moleleki LN. Pectobacterium brasiliense 1692 Chemotactic Responses and the Role of Methyl-Accepting Chemotactic Proteins in Ecological Fitness. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:650894. [PMID: 33968106 PMCID: PMC8100591 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.650894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
To adapt to changing environmental niches, bacteria require taxis, a movement toward or away from a stimulus (ligand). Chemotaxis has been studied in some members of the Soft Rot Pectobacteriaceae (SRP), particularly members of the genus Dickeya. On the contrary, there are fewer studies on this topic for the other genus in the SRP group, namely Pectobacterium. This study evaluated chemotactic responses in Pectobacterium brasiliense (Pb 1692) to various ligands. A total of 34 methyl-accepting chemotactic proteins (MCPs) were identified in the Pb 1692 genome and the domain architectures of these MCPs were determined. Four Pb 1692 MCPs previously shown to be differentially expressed during potato tuber infection were selected for further functional characterization. Toward this end, Pb 1692 mutant strains each lacking either AED-0001492, AED-0003671, AED-0000304, or AED-0000744 were generated. Two of these mutants (AED-0001492 and AED-0003671), were attenuated in their ability to grow and respond to citrate and are thus referred to as MCP cit2 and MCP cit1 , respectively, while the other two, AED-0000304 (MCP xyl ) and AED-0000744 (MCP asp ), were affected in their ability to respond to xylose and aspartate, respectively. Trans-complementation of the mutant strains restored swimming motility in the presence of respective ligands. The four MCP mutants were not affected in virulence but were significantly attenuated in their ability to attach to potato leaves suggesting that ecological fitness is an important contribution of these MCPs toward Pb 1692 biology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Divine Yutefar Shyntum
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Precious K. Sedibane
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Daniel Bellieny-Rabelo
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Lucy N. Moleleki
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Jonkheer EM, Brankovics B, Houwers IM, van der Wolf JM, Bonants PJM, Vreeburg RAM, Bollema R, de Haan JR, Berke L, Smit S, de Ridder D, van der Lee TAJ. The Pectobacterium pangenome, with a focus on Pectobacterium brasiliense, shows a robust core and extensive exchange of genes from a shared gene pool. BMC Genomics 2021; 22:265. [PMID: 33849459 PMCID: PMC8045196 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-021-07583-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bacterial plant pathogens of the Pectobacterium genus are responsible for a wide spectrum of diseases in plants, including important crops such as potato, tomato, lettuce, and banana. Investigation of the genetic diversity underlying virulence and host specificity can be performed at genome level by using a comprehensive comparative approach called pangenomics. A pangenomic approach, using newly developed functionalities in PanTools, was applied to analyze the complex phylogeny of the Pectobacterium genus. We specifically used the pangenome to investigate genetic differences between virulent and avirulent strains of P. brasiliense, a potato blackleg causing species dominantly present in Western Europe. RESULTS Here we generated a multilevel pangenome for Pectobacterium, comprising 197 strains across 19 species, including type strains, with a focus on P. brasiliense. The extensive phylogenetic analysis of the Pectobacterium genus showed robust distinct clades, with most detail provided by 452,388 parsimony-informative single-nucleotide polymorphisms identified in single-copy orthologs. The average Pectobacterium genome consists of 47% core genes, 1% unique genes, and 52% accessory genes. Using the pangenome, we zoomed in on differences between virulent and avirulent P. brasiliense strains and identified 86 genes associated to virulent strains. We found that the organization of genes is highly structured and linked with gene conservation, function, and transcriptional orientation. CONCLUSION The pangenome analysis demonstrates that evolution in Pectobacteria is a highly dynamic process, including gene acquisitions partly in clusters, genome rearrangements, and loss of genes. Pectobacterium species are typically not characterized by a set of species-specific genes, but instead present themselves using new gene combinations from the shared gene pool. A multilevel pangenomic approach, fusing DNA, protein, biological function, taxonomic group, and phenotypes, facilitates studies in a flexible taxonomic context.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eef M Jonkheer
- Bioinformatics Group, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
- Biointeractions and Plant Health, Wageningen Plant Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Balázs Brankovics
- Biointeractions and Plant Health, Wageningen Plant Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Ilse M Houwers
- Biointeractions and Plant Health, Wageningen Plant Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jan M van der Wolf
- Biointeractions and Plant Health, Wageningen Plant Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Peter J M Bonants
- Biointeractions and Plant Health, Wageningen Plant Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Robert A M Vreeburg
- Nederlandse Algemene Keuringsdienst voor zaaizaad en pootgoed van landbouwgewassen, Randweg 14, 8304 AS, Emmeloord, The Netherlands
| | - Robert Bollema
- Nederlandse Algemene Keuringsdienst voor zaaizaad en pootgoed van landbouwgewassen, Randweg 14, 8304 AS, Emmeloord, The Netherlands
| | - Jorn R de Haan
- Genetwister Technologies B.V, Nieuwe Kanaal 7b, 6709 PA, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Lidija Berke
- Genetwister Technologies B.V, Nieuwe Kanaal 7b, 6709 PA, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Sandra Smit
- Bioinformatics Group, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Dick de Ridder
- Bioinformatics Group, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Theo A J van der Lee
- Biointeractions and Plant Health, Wageningen Plant Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Bellieny-Rabelo D, Pretorius WJS, Moleleki LN. Novel Two-Component System-Like Elements Reveal Functional Domains Associated with Restriction-Modification Systems and paraMORC ATPases in Bacteria. Genome Biol Evol 2021; 13:6132261. [PMID: 33565597 PMCID: PMC8011034 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evab024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Two-component systems (TCS) are important types of machinery allowing for efficient signal recognition and transmission in bacterial cells. The majority of TCSs utilized by bacteria is composed of a sensor histidine kinase (HK) and a cognate response regulator (RR). In the present study, we report two newly predicted protein domains—both to be included in the next release of the Pfam database: Response_reg_2 (PF19192) and HEF_HK (PF19191)—in bacteria which exhibit high structural similarity, respectively, with typical domains of RRs and HKs. Additionally, the genes encoding for the novel predicted domains exhibit a 91.6% linkage observed across 644 genomic regions recovered from 628 different bacterial strains. The remarkable adjacent colocalization between genes carrying Response_reg_2 and HEF_HK in addition to their conserved structural features, which are highly similar to those from well-known HKs and RRs, raises the possibility of Response_reg_2 and HEF_HK constituting a new TCS in bacteria. The genomic regions in which these predicted two-component systems-like are located additionally exhibit an overrepresented presence of restriction–modification (R–M) systems especially the type II R–M. Among these, there is a conspicuous presence of C-5 cytosine-specific DNA methylases which may indicate a functional association with the newly discovered domains. The solid presence of R–M systems and the presence of the GHKL family domain HATPase_c_3 across most of the HEF_HK-containing genes are also indicative that these genes are evolutionarily related to the paraMORC family of ATPases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Bellieny-Rabelo
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa.,Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute, University of Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
| | - Willem J S Pretorius
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa.,Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute, University of Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
| | - Lucy N Moleleki
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa.,Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute, University of Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Kravchenko U, Gogoleva N, Kalubaka N, Kruk A, Diubo Y, Gogolev Y, Nikolaichik Y. The PhoPQ Two-Component System Is the Major Regulator of Cell Surface Properties, Stress Responses and Plant-Derived Substrate Utilisation During Development of Pectobacterium versatile-Host Plant Pathosystems. Front Microbiol 2021; 11:621391. [PMID: 33519782 PMCID: PMC7843439 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.621391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 12/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Pectobacterium versatile (formerly P. carotovorum) is a recently defined species of soft rot enterobacteria capable of infecting many plant hosts and damaging different tissues. Complex transcriptional regulation of virulence properties can be expected for such a versatile pathogen. However, the relevant information is available only for related species and is rather limited. The PhoPQ two-component system, originally described in pectobacteria as PehRS, was previously shown to regulate a single gene, pehA. Using an insertional phoP mutant of Pectobacterium versatile (earlier-P. carotovorum), we demonstrate that PhoP regulates at least 115 genes with a majority of them specific for pectobacteria. The functions performed by PhoP-controlled genes include degradation, transport and metabolism of plant-derived carbon sources (polygalacturonate, arabinose-containing polysaccharides and citrate), modification of bacterial cell envelope and stress resistance. We also demonstrated PhoP involvement in establishing the order of plant cell wall decomposition and utilisation of the corresponding breakdown products. Based on experimental data and in silico analysis, we defined a PhoP binding site motif and provided proof for its universality in enteric bacteria. Scanning P. versatile genome for the locations of this motif suggested a much larger PhoP regulon enriched with the genes important for a plant pathogen, which makes PhoP a global virulence regulator. Potential PhoP targets include many regulatory genes and PhoP control over one of them, expI, was confirmed experimentally, highlighting the link between the PhoPQ two-component and quorum sensing systems. High concentrations of calcium and magnesium ions were found to abolish the PhoPQ-dependent transcription activation but did not relieve repression. Reduced PhoP expression and minimisation of PhoP dependence of regulon members' expression in P. versatile cells isolated from potato tuber tissues suggest that PhoPQ system is a key switch of expression levels of multiple virulence-related genes fine-tuned to control the development of P. versatile-host plant pathosystem.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Uljana Kravchenko
- Department of Molecular Biology, Belarusian State University, Minsk, Belarus
| | - Natalia Gogoleva
- Federal Research Center “Kazan Scientific Center of RAS”, Kazan Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Kazan, Russia
- Laboratory of Extreme Biology, Kazan Federal University Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan, Russia
| | - Nastassia Kalubaka
- Department of Molecular Biology, Belarusian State University, Minsk, Belarus
| | - Alla Kruk
- Department of Molecular Biology, Belarusian State University, Minsk, Belarus
| | - Yuliya Diubo
- Department of Molecular Biology, Belarusian State University, Minsk, Belarus
| | - Yuri Gogolev
- Federal Research Center “Kazan Scientific Center of RAS”, Kazan Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Kazan, Russia
- Department of Biochemistry, Biotechnology and Pharmacology, Kazan Federal University Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan, Russia
| | - Yevgeny Nikolaichik
- Department of Molecular Biology, Belarusian State University, Minsk, Belarus
| |
Collapse
|