Identification of novel hrp-regulated genes through functional genomic analysis of the Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 genome

Features and algorithms: facilitating investigation of secreted effectors in Gram-negative bacteria

Gram-negative bacteria deliver effector proteins through type III, IV, or VI secretion systems (T3SSs, T4SSs, and T6SSs) into host cells, causing infections and diseases. In general, effector proteins for each of these distinct secretion systems lack homology and are difficult to identify. Sequence analysis has disclosed many common features, helping us to understand the evolution, function, and secretion mechanisms of the effectors. In combination with various algorithms, the known common features have facilitated accurate prediction of new effectors. Ensemblers or integrated pipelines achieve a better prediction of performance, which combines multiple computational models or modules with multidimensional features. Natural language processing (NLP) models also show the merits, which could enable discovery of novel features and, in turn, facilitate more precise effector prediction, extending our knowledge about each secretion mechanism.

Plant-exuded chemical signals induce surface attachment of the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae

Many plant pathogenic bacteria suppress host defenses by secreting small molecule toxins or immune-suppressing proteins into host cells, processes that likely require close physical contact between pathogen and host. Yet, in most cases, little is known about whether phytopathogenic bacteria physically attach to host surfaces during infection. Here we report that Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato strain DC3000, a Gram-negative bacterial pathogen of tomato and Arabidopsis, attaches to polystyrene and glass surfaces in response to chemical signals exuded from Arabidopsis seedlings and tomato leaves. We characterized the molecular nature of these attachment-inducing signals and discovered that multiple hydrophilic metabolites found in plant exudates, including citric acid, glutamic acid, and aspartic acid, are potent inducers of surface attachment. These same compounds were previously identified as inducers of P. syringae genes encoding a type III secretion system (T3SS), indicating that both attachment and T3SS deployment are induced by the same plant signals. To test if surface attachment and T3SS are regulated by the same signaling pathways, we assessed the attachment phenotypes of several previously characterized DC3000 mutants, and found that the T3SS master regulator HrpL was partially required for maximal levels of surface attachment, whereas the response regulator GacA, a negative regulator of T3SS, negatively regulated DC3000 surface attachment. Together, our data indicate that T3SS deployment and surface attachment by P. syringae may be co-regulated by the same host signals during infection, possibly to ensure close contact necessary to facilitate delivery of T3SS effectors into host cells.

Diversity, Evolution, and Function of Pseudomonas syringae Effectoromes

Pseudomonas syringae is an evolutionarily diverse bacterial species complex and a preeminent model for the study of plant-pathogen interactions due in part to its remarkably broad host range. A critical feature of P. syringae virulence is the employment of suites of type III secreted effector (T3SE) proteins, which vary widely in composition and function. These effectors act on a variety of plant intracellular targets to promote pathogenesis but can also be avirulence factors when detected by host immune complexes. In this review, we survey the phylogenetic diversity (PD) of the P. syringae effectorome, comprising 70 distinct T3SE families identified to date, and highlight how avoidance of host immune detection has shaped effectorome diversity through functional redundancy, diversification, and horizontal transfer. We present emerging avenues for research and novel insights that can be gained via future investigations of plant-pathogen interactions through the fusion of large-scale interaction screens and phylogenomic approaches.

The Mechanosensitive Ion Channel MSL10 Modulates Susceptibility to Pseudomonas syringae in Arabidopsis thaliana

Plants sense and respond to molecular signals associated with the presence of pathogens and their virulence factors. Mechanical signals generated during pathogenic invasion may also be important, but their contributions have rarely been studied. Here, we investigate the potential role of a mechanosensitive ion channel, MscS-like (MSL)10, in defense against the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae in Arabidopsis thaliana. We previously showed that overexpression of MSL10-GFP, phospho-mimetic versions of MSL10, and the gain-of-function allele msl10-3G all produce dwarfing, spontaneous cell death, and the hyperaccumulation of reactive oxygen species. These phenotypes are shared by many autoimmune mutants and are frequently suppressed by growth at high temperature in those lines. We found that the same was true for all three MSL10 hypermorphs. In addition, we show that the SGT1/RAR1/HSP90 cochaperone complex was required for dwarfing and ectopic cell death, PAD4 and SID2 were partially required, and the immune regulators EDS1 and NDR1 were dispensable. All MSL10 hypermorphs exhibited reduced susceptibility to infection by P. syringae strain Pto DC3000 and Pto DC3000 expressing the avirulence genes avrRpt2 or avrRpm1 but not Pto DC3000 hrpL and showed an accelerated induction of PR1 expression compared with wild-type plants. Null msl10-1 mutants were delayed in PR1 induction and displayed modest susceptibility to infection by coronatine-deficient P. syringae pv. tomato. Finally, stomatal closure was reduced in msl10-1 loss-of-function mutants in response to P. syringae pv. tomato COR^-. These data show that MSL10 modulates pathogen responses and begin to address the possibility that mechanical signals are exploited by the plant for pathogen perception.[Formula: see text] Copyright © 2022 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license.

Effectidor: an automated machine-learning-based web server for the prediction of type-III secretion system effectors

MOTIVATION

Type-III secretion systems are utilized by many Gram-negative bacteria to inject type-3 effectors (T3Es) to eukaryotic cells. These effectors manipulate host processes for the benefit of the bacteria and thus promote disease. They can also function as host-specificity determinants through their recognition as avirulence proteins that elicit immune response. Identifying the full effector repertoire within a set of bacterial genomes is of great importance to develop appropriate treatments against the associated pathogens.

RESULTS

We present Effectidor, a user-friendly web server that harnesses several machine-learning techniques to predict T3Es within bacterial genomes. We compared the performance of Effectidor to other available tools for the same task on three pathogenic bacteria. Effectidor outperformed these tools in terms of classification accuracy (area under the precision-recall curve above 0.98 in all cases).

AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION

Effectidor is available at: https://effectidor.tau.ac.il, and the source code is available at: https://github.com/naamawagner/Effectidor.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.

Regulation of the Pseudomonas syringae Type III Secretion System by Host Environment Signals

Pseudomonas syringae are Gram-negative, plant pathogenic bacteria that use a type III secretion system (T3SS) to disarm host immune responses and promote bacterial growth within plant tissues. Despite the critical role for type III secretion in promoting virulence, T3SS-encoding genes are not constitutively expressed by P. syringae and must instead be induced during infection. While it has been known for many years that culturing P. syringae in synthetic minimal media can induce the T3SS, relatively little is known about host signals that regulate the deployment of the T3SS during infection. The recent identification of specific plant-derived amino acids and organic acids that induce T3SS-inducing genes in P. syringae has provided new insights into host sensing mechanisms. This review summarizes current knowledge of the regulatory machinery governing T3SS deployment in P. syringae, including master regulators HrpRS and HrpL encoded within the T3SS pathogenicity island, and the environmental factors that modulate the abundance and/or activity of these key regulators. We highlight putative receptors and regulatory networks involved in linking the perception of host signals to the regulation of the core HrpRS–HrpL pathway. Positive and negative regulation of T3SS deployment is also discussed within the context of P. syringae infection, where contributions from distinct host signals and regulatory networks likely enable the fine-tuning of T3SS deployment within host tissues. Last, we propose future research directions necessary to construct a comprehensive model that (a) links the perception of host metabolite signals to T3SS deployment and (b) places these host–pathogen signaling events in the overall context of P. syringae infection.

Integrated regulatory network in Pseudomonas syringae reveals dynamics of virulence

Pseudomonas syringae, a Gram-negative plant pathogen, expresses multitudinous transcriptional regulators to control the type III secretion system (T3SS) and response to diverse environmental challenges. Although the mechanisms of virulence-associated regulators of P. syringae have been studied for decades, the overall crosstalk underlying these regulators is still elusive. Here, we identify five T3SS regulators (EnvZ-OmpR, CbrAB2, PhoPQ, PilRS, and MgrA), and find that the two-component systems EnvZ-OmpR and CbrAB2 negatively regulate the T3SS. To elucidate crosstalk between 16 virulence-associated regulators in P. syringae, we map an online intricate network called "PSRnet" (Pseudomonas syringae regulatory network) by combining the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of these 16 regulators by RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and their binding loci by chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq). Consequently, we identify 238 and 153 functional genes involved in the T3SS and other virulence-related pathways in KB and MM media, respectively. Our results provide insights into the mechanism of plant infections caused by P. syringae.

Research progress on two-component signal transduction systems in Porphyromonas gingivalis

Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis), a Gram-negative oral anaerobe, is considered to be a major pathogenic agent involved in the onset and progression of chronic periodontitis. P. gingivalis must be able to perceive and respond to the complicated changes in host to survive the environmental challenges, in which the two-component signal transduction systems (TCSs) play critical roles by connecting input signals to cellular physiological output. Canonical TCS consists of a sensor histidine kinase and a cognate response regulator that functions via a phosphorylation cascade. In this review, the roles of TCSs in P. gingivalis were demonstrated by illustrating the target genes and modulation modes, which may help elucidate the underlying mechanisms in future studies.

Applications of CRISPR/Cas to Improve Crop Disease Resistance: Beyond Inactivation of Susceptibility Factors

Current crop production systems are prone to increasing pathogen pressure. Fundamental understanding of molecular plant-pathogen interactions, the availability of crop and pathogen genomic information, as well as emerging genome editing permits a novel approach for breeding of crop disease resistance. We describe here strategies to identify new targets for resistance breeding with focus on interruption of the compatible plant-pathogen interaction by CRISPR/Cas-mediated genome editing. Basically, crop genome editing can be applied in several ways to achieve this goal. The most common approach focuses on the "simple" knockout by non-homologous end joining repair of plant susceptibility factors required for efficient host colonization. However, genome re-writing via homology-directed repair or base editing can also prevent host manipulation by changing the targets of pathogen-derived effectors or molecules beyond recognition, which also decreases plant susceptibility. We conclude that genome editing by CRISPR/Cas will become increasingly indispensable to generate in relatively short time beneficial resistance traits in crops to meet upcoming challenges.

T3SEpp: an Integrated Prediction Pipeline for Bacterial Type III Secreted Effectors

Many Gram-negative bacteria infect hosts and cause diseases by translocating a variety of type III secreted effectors (T3SEs) into the host cell cytoplasm. However, despite a dramatic increase in the number of available whole-genome sequences, it remains challenging for accurate prediction of T3SEs. Traditional prediction models have focused on atypical sequence features buried in the N-terminal peptides of T3SEs, but unfortunately, these models have had high false-positive rates. In this research, we integrated promoter information along with characteristic protein features for signal regions, chaperone-binding domains, and effector domains for T3SE prediction. Machine learning algorithms, including deep learning, were adopted to predict the atypical features mainly buried in signal sequences of T3SEs, followed by development of a voting-based ensemble model integrating the individual prediction results. We assembled this into a unified T3SE prediction pipeline, T3SEpp, which integrated the results of individual modules, resulting in high accuracy (i.e., ∼0.94) and >1-fold reduction in the false-positive rate compared to that of state-of-the-art software tools. The T3SEpp pipeline and sequence features observed here will facilitate the accurate identification of new T3SEs, with numerous benefits for future studies on host-pathogen interactions.IMPORTANCE Type III secreted effector (T3SE) prediction remains a big computational challenge. In practical applications, current software tools often suffer problems of high false-positive rates. One of the causal factors could be the relatively unitary type of biological features used for the design and training of the models. In this research, we made a comprehensive survey on the sequence-based features of T3SEs, including signal sequences, chaperone-binding domains, effector domains, and transcription factor binding promoter sites, and assembled a unified prediction pipeline integrating multi-aspect biological features within homology-based and multiple machine learning models. To our knowledge, we have compiled the most comprehensive biological sequence feature analysis for T3SEs in this research. The T3SEpp pipeline integrating the variety of features and assembling different models showed high accuracy, which should facilitate more accurate identification of T3SEs in new and existing bacterial whole-genome sequences.

A DeoR-Type Transcription Regulator Is Required for Sugar-Induced Expression of Type III Secretion-Encoding Genes in Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000

The type III secretion system (T3SS) of plant-pathogenic Pseudomonas syringae is essential for virulence. Genes encoding the T3SS are not constitutively expressed and must be induced upon infection. Plant-derived metabolites, including sugars such as fructose and sucrose, are inducers of T3SS-encoding genes, yet the molecular mechanisms underlying perception of these host signals by P. syringae are unknown. Here, we report that sugar-induced expression of type III secretion A (setA), predicted to encode a DeoR-type transcription factor, is required for maximal sugar-induced expression of T3SS-associated genes in P. syringae DC3000. From a Tn5 transposon mutagenesis screen, we identified two independent mutants with insertions in setA. When both setA::Tn5 mutants were cultured in minimal medium containing fructose, genes encoding the T3SS master regulator HrpL and effector AvrRpm1 were expressed at lower levels relative to that of a wild-type strain. Decreased hrpL and avrRpm1 expression also occurred in a setA::Tn5 mutant in response to glucose, sucrose, galactose, and mannitol, demonstrating that setA is genetically required for T3SS induction by many different sugars. Expression of upstream regulators hrpR/S and rpoN was not altered in setA::Tn5, indicating that SetA positively regulates hrpL expression independently of increased transcription of these genes. In addition to decreased response to defined sugar signals, a setA::Tn5 mutant had decreased T3SS deployment during infection and was compromised in its ability to grow in planta and cause disease. These data suggest that SetA is necessary for P. syringae to effectively respond to T3SS-inducing sugar signals encountered during infection.

Type III Secretion System of Beneficial Rhizobacteria Pseudomonas simiae WCS417 and Pseudomonas defensor WCS374

Plants roots host myriads of microbes, some of which enhance the defense potential of plants by activating a broad-spectrum immune response in leaves, known as induced systemic resistance (ISR). Nevertheless, establishment of this mutualistic interaction requires active suppression of local root immune responses to allow successful colonization. To facilitate host colonization, phytopathogenic bacteria secrete immune-suppressive effectors into host cells via the type III secretion system (T3SS). Previously, we searched the genomes of the ISR-inducing rhizobacteria Pseudomonas simiae WCS417 and Pseudomonas defensor WCS374 for the presence of a T3SS and identified the components for a T3SS in the genomes of WCS417 and WCS374. By performing a phylogenetic and gene cluster alignment analysis we show that the T3SS of WCS417 and WCS374 are grouped in a clade that is enriched for beneficial rhizobacteria. We also found sequences of putative novel effectors in their genomes, which may facilitate future research on the role of T3SS effectors in plant-beneficial microbe interactions in the rhizosphere.

Widely Conserved Attenuation of Plant MAMP-Induced Calcium Influx by Bacteria Depends on Multiple Virulence Factors and May Involve Desensitization of Host Pattern Recognition Receptors

Successful pathogens must efficiently defeat or delay host immune responses, including those triggered by release or exposure of microbe-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs). Knowledge of the molecular details leading to this phenomenon in genuine plant-pathogen interactions is still scarce. We took advantage of the well-established Arabidopsis thaliana-Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 pathosystem to explore the molecular prerequisites for the suppression of MAMP-triggered host defense by the bacterial invader. Using a transgenic Arabidopsis line expressing the calcium sensor apoaequorin, we discovered that strain DC3000 colonization results in a complete inhibition of MAMP-induced cytosolic calcium influx, a key event of immediate-early host immune signaling. A range of further plant-associated bacterial species is also able to prevent, either partially or fully, the MAMP-triggered cytosolic calcium pattern. Genetic analysis revealed that this suppressive effect partially relies on the bacterial type III secretion system (T3SS) but cannot be attributed to individual members of the currently known arsenal of strain DC3000 effector proteins. Although the phytotoxin coronatine and bacterial flagellin individually are dispensable for the effective inhibition of MAMP-induced calcium signatures, they contribute to the attenuation of calcium influx in the absence of the T3SS. Our findings suggest that the capacity to interfere with early plant immune responses is a widespread ability among plant-associated bacteria that, at least in strain DC3000, requires the combinatorial effect of multiple virulence determinants. This may also include the desensitization of host pattern recognition receptors by the prolonged exposure to MAMPs during bacterial pathogenesis.

Perspectives on the Transition From Bacterial Phytopathogen Genomics Studies to Applications Enhancing Disease Management: From Promise to Practice

The advent of genomics has advanced science into a new era, providing a plethora of "toys" for researchers in many related and disparate fields. Genomics has also spawned many new fields, including proteomics and metabolomics, furthering our ability to gain a more comprehensive view of individual organisms and of interacting organisms. Genomic information of both bacterial pathogens and their hosts has provided the critical starting point in understanding the molecular bases of how pathogens disrupt host cells to cause disease. In addition, knowledge of the complete genome sequence of the pathogen provides a potentially broad slate of targets for the development of novel virulence inhibitors that are desperately needed for disease management. Regarding plant bacterial pathogens and disease management, the potential for utilizing genomics resources in the development of durable resistance is enhanced because of developing technologies that enable targeted modification of the host. Here, we summarize the role of genomics studies in furthering efforts to manage bacterial plant diseases and highlight novel genomics-enabled strategies heading down this path.

Characterization of the hrpZ gene from Pseudomonas syringae pv. maculicola M2

Pseudomonas syringae pv. maculicola is a natural pathogen of members of the Brassicaceae plant family. Using a transposon-based mutagenesis strategy in Pseudomonas syringaepv. maculicola M2 (PsmM2), we conducted a genetic screen to identify mutants that were capable of growing in M9 medium supplemented with a crude extract from the leaves of Arabidopsis thaliana. A mutant containing a transposon insertion in the hrpZ gene (PsmMut8) was unable to infect adult plants from Arabidopsis thaliana or Brassica oleracea, suggesting a loss of pathogenicity. The promotorless cat reporter present in the gene trap was expressed if PsmMut8 was grown in minimal medium (M9) supplemented with the leaf extract but not if grown in normal rich medium (KB). We conducted phylogenetic analysis using hrpAZB genes, showing the classical 5-clade distribution, and nucleotide diversity analysis, showing the putative position for selective pressure in this operon. Our results indicate that the hrpAZB operon from Pseudomonas syringaepv. maculicola M2 is necessary for its pathogenicity and that its diversity would be under host-mediated diversifying selection.

Stem-cell-triggered immunity safeguards cytokinin enriched plant shoot apexes from pathogen infection

Intricate mechanisms discriminate between friends and foes in plants. Plant organs deploy overlapping and distinct protection strategies. Despite vulnerability to a plethora of pathogens, the growing tips of plants grow bacteria free. The shoot apical meristem (SAM) is among three stem cells niches, a self-renewable reservoir for the future organogenesis of leaf, stem, and flowers. How plants safeguard this high value growth target from infections was not known until now. Recent reports find the stem cell secreted 12-amino acid peptide CLV3p (CLAVATA3 peptide) is perceived by FLS2 (FLAGELLIN SENSING 2) receptor and activates the transcription of immunity and defense marker genes. No infection in the SAM of wild type plants and bacterial infection in clv3 and fls2 mutants illustrate this natural protection against infections. Cytokinins (CKs) are enriched in the SAM and regulate meristem activities by their involvement in stem cell signaling networks. Auxin mediates plant susceptibility to pathogen infections while CKs boost plant immunity. Here, in addition to the stem-cell-triggered immunity we also highlight a potential link between CK signaling and CLV3p mediated immune response in the SAM.

Chp8, a diguanylate cyclase from Pseudomonas syringae pv. Tomato DC3000, suppresses the pathogen-associated molecular pattern flagellin, increases extracellular polysaccharides, and promotes plant immune evasion

The bacterial plant pathogen Pseudomonas syringae causes disease in a wide range of plants. The associated decrease in crop yields results in economic losses and threatens global food security. Competition exists between the plant immune system and the pathogen, the basic principles of which can be applied to animal infection pathways. P. syringae uses a type III secretion system (T3SS) to deliver virulence factors into the plant that promote survival of the bacterium. The P. syringae T3SS is a product of the hypersensitive response and pathogenicity (hrp) and hypersensitive response and conserved (hrc) gene cluster, which is strictly controlled by the codependent enhancer-binding proteins HrpR and HrpS. Through a combination of bacterial gene regulation and phenotypic studies, plant infection assays, and plant hormone quantifications, we now report that Chp8 (i) is embedded in the Hrp regulon and expressed in response to plant signals and HrpRS, (ii) is a functional diguanylate cyclase, (iii) decreases the expression of the major pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP) flagellin and increases extracellular polysaccharides (EPS), and (iv) impacts the salicylic acid/jasmonic acid hormonal immune response and disease progression. We propose that Chp8 expression dampens PAMP-triggered immunity during early plant infection.

IMPORTANCE

The global demand for food is projected to rise by 50% by 2030 and, as such, represents one of the major challenges of the 21st century, requiring improved crop management. Diseases caused by plant pathogens decrease crop yields, result in significant economic losses, and threaten global food security. Gaining mechanistic insights into the events at the plant-pathogen interface and employing this knowledge to make crops more resilient is one important strategy for improving crop management. Plant-pathogen interactions are characterized by the sophisticated interplay between plant immunity elicited upon pathogen recognition and immune evasion by the pathogen. Here, we identify Chp8 as a contributor to the major effort of the plant pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 to evade immune responses of the plant.

Plant flavonoids target Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 flagella and type III secretion system

Flavonoids are among the most abundant plant secondary metabolites involved in plant protection against pathogens, but micro-organisms have developed resistance mechanisms to those compounds. We previously demonstrated that the MexAB-OprM efflux pump mediates resistance of Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato (Pto) DC3000 to flavonoids, facilitating its survival and the colonization of the host. Here, we have shown that tomato plants respond to Pto infection producing flavonoids and other phenolic compounds. The effects of flavonoids on key traits of this model plant-pathogen bacterium have also been investigated observing that they reduce Pto swimming and swarming because of the loss of flagella, and also inhibited the expression and assembly of a functional type III secretion system. Those effects were more severe in a mutant lacking the MexAB-OprM pump. Our results suggest that flavonoids inhibit the function of the GacS/GacA two-component system, causing a depletion of rsmY RNA, therefore affecting the synthesis of two important virulence factors in Pto DC3000, flagella and the type III secretion system. These data provide new insights into the flavonoid role in the molecular dialog between host and pathogen.

Characterization of the SPI-1 and Rsp type three secretion systems in Pseudomonas fluorescens F113

Pseudomonas fluorescens F113 is a plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium (PGPR) isolated from the sugar beet rhizosphere. The recent annotation of the F113 genome sequence has revealed that this strain encodes a wide array of secretion systems, including two complete type three secretion systems (T3SSs) belonging to the Hrp1 and SPI-1 families. While Hrp1 T3SSs are frequently encoded in other P. fluorescens strains, the presence of a SPI-1 T3SS in a plant-beneficial bacterial strain was unexpected. In this work, the genetic organization and expression of these two T3SS loci have been analysed by a combination of transcriptional reporter fusions and transcriptome analyses. Overexpression of two transcriptional activators has shown a number of genes encoding putative T3 effectors. In addition, the influence of these two T3SSs during the interaction of P. fluorescens F113 with some bacterial predators was also assessed. Our data revealed that the transcriptional activator hilA is induced by amoeba and that the SPI-1 T3SS could potentially be involved in resistance to amoeboid grazing.

Nonhost resistance of tomato to the bean pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae B728a is due to a defective E3 ubiquitin ligase domain in avrptobb728a

The bean pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae B728a expresses homologs of the type III effectors AvrPto and AvrPtoB, either of which can trigger resistance in tomato cultivars expressing Pto and Prf genes. We found that strain B728a also elicits nonhost resistance in tomato cultivars VFNT Cherry and Moneymaker that lack Pto but express other members of the Pto family (e.g., SlFen and SlPtoC). Here, we show that the AvrPtoB homolog from B728a, termed AvrPtoBB728a (also known as HopAB1), is recognized by 'VFNT Cherry' and 'Moneymaker' when the effector is expressed in P. syringae pv. syringae 61, a strain lacking the avrPto or avrPtoB homolog. Using a gene-silencing approach, this recognition was shown to involve one or more Pto family members and Prf. AvrPtoBB728a interacted with SlFen, SlPtoC, and SlPtoD, in addition to Pto, in a yeast two-hybrid assay. In P. syringae pv. tomato DC3000, the C-terminal domain of AvrPtoB is an E3 ubiquitin ligase that ubiquitinates Fen, causing its degradation and leading to disease susceptibility. Although the C-terminal domain of AvrPtoBB728a shares 69% amino acid identity with that of AvrPtoB, we found that it has greatly reduced E3 ligase activity and is unable to ubiquitinate Fen in an in vitro ubiquitination assay. Thus, the nonhost resistance of 'VFNT Cherry' and 'Moneymaker' to B728a appears to be due to recognition of AvrPtoBB728 as a result of the effector's reduced E3 ligase activity, which prevents it from facilitating degradation of a Pto family member. We speculate that the primary plant host of B728a lacks a Fen-like protein and that, therefore, the E3 ligase of AvrPtoBB728 was unnecessary for pathogenicity and has diverged and become ineffective.

Genetic characterization of the HrpL regulon of the fire blight pathogen Erwinia amylovora reveals novel virulence factors

The bacterial pathogen Erwinia amylovora is the causal agent of fire blight, an economically significant disease of apple and pear. Disease initiation by E. amylovora requires the translocation of effector proteins into host cells via the hypersensitive response and pathogenicity (hrp) type III secretion system (T3SS). The alternative sigma factor HrpL positively regulates the transcription of structural and translocated components of the T3SS via hrp promoter elements. To characterize genome-wide HrpL-dependent gene expression in E. amylovora Ea1189, wild-type and Ea1189ΔhrpL strains were cultured in hrp-inducing minimal medium, and total RNA was compared using a custom microarray designed to represent the annotated genes of E. amylovora ATCC 49946. The results revealed 24 genes differentially regulated in Ea1189ΔhrpL relative to Ea1189 with fold-change expression ratios greater than 1.5; of these, 19 genes exhibited decreased transcript abundance and five genes showed increased transcript abundance relative to Ea1189. To expand our understanding of the HrpL regulon and to elucidate direct versus indirect HrpL-mediated effects on gene expression, the genome of E. amylovora ATCC 49946 was examined in silico using a hidden Markov model assembled from known Erwinia spp. hrp promoters. This technique identified 15 putative type III novel hrp promoters, seven of which were validated with quantitative polymerase chain reaction based on expression analyses. It was found that HrpL-regulated genes encode all known components of the hrp T3SS, as well as five putative type III effectors. Eight genes displayed apparent indirect HrpL regulation, suggesting that the HrpL regulon is connected to downstream signalling networks. The construction of deletion mutants of three novel HrpL-regulated genes resulted in the identification of additional virulence factors as well as mutants displaying abnormal motility and biofilm phenotypes.

Dynamic evolution of pathogenicity revealed by sequencing and comparative genomics of 19 Pseudomonas syringae isolates

Closely related pathogens may differ dramatically in host range, but the molecular, genetic, and evolutionary basis for these differences remains unclear. In many Gram- negative bacteria, including the phytopathogen Pseudomonas syringae, type III effectors (TTEs) are essential for pathogenicity, instrumental in structuring host range, and exhibit wide diversity between strains. To capture the dynamic nature of virulence gene repertoires across P. syringae, we screened 11 diverse strains for novel TTE families and coupled this nearly saturating screen with the sequencing and assembly of 14 phylogenetically diverse isolates from a broad collection of diseased host plants. TTE repertoires vary dramatically in size and content across all P. syringae clades; surprisingly few TTEs are conserved and present in all strains. Those that are likely provide basal requirements for pathogenicity. We demonstrate that functional divergence within one conserved locus, hopM1, leads to dramatic differences in pathogenicity, and we demonstrate that phylogenetics-informed mutagenesis can be used to identify functionally critical residues of TTEs. The dynamism of the TTE repertoire is mirrored by diversity in pathways affecting the synthesis of secreted phytotoxins, highlighting the likely role of both types of virulence factors in determination of host range. We used these 14 draft genome sequences, plus five additional genome sequences previously reported, to identify the core genome for P. syringae and we compared this core to that of two closely related non-pathogenic pseudomonad species. These data revealed the recent acquisition of a 1 Mb megaplasmid by a sub-clade of cucumber pathogens. This megaplasmid encodes a type IV secretion system and a diverse set of unknown proteins, which dramatically increases both the genomic content of these strains and the pan-genome of the species.

Breakthroughs in genomics have unleashed a new suite of tools for studying the genetic bases of phenotypic differences across diverse bacterial isolates. Here, we analyze 19 genomes of P. syringae, a pathogen of many crop species, to reveal the genetic changes underlying differences in virulence across host plants ranging from rice to maple trees. Surprisingly, a pair of strains diverged dramatically via the acquisition of a 1 Mb megaplasmid, which constitutes roughly 14% of the genome. Novel plasmids and horizontal genetic exchange have contributed extensively to species-wide diversification. Type III effector proteins are essential for pathogenicity, exhibit wide diversity between strains and are present in distinct higher-level patterns across the species. Furthermore, we use sequence comparisons within an evolutionary context to identify functional changes in multiple virulence genes. Overall, our data provide a unique overview of evolutionary pressures within P. syringae and an important resource for the phytopathogen research community.

Structural and functional analysis of the type III secretion system from Pseudomonas fluorescens Q8r1-96

Pseudomonas fluorescens Q8r1-96 represents a group of rhizosphere strains responsible for the suppressiveness of agricultural soils to take-all disease of wheat. It produces the antibiotic 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol and aggressively colonizes the roots of cereal crops. In this study, we analyzed the genome of Q8r1-96 and identified a type III protein secretion system (T3SS) gene cluster that has overall organization similar to that of the T3SS gene cluster of the plant pathogen Pseudomonas syringae. We also screened a collection of 30 closely related P. fluorescens strains and detected the T3SS genes in all but one of them. The Q8r1-96 genome contained ropAA and ropM type III effector genes, which are orthologs of the P. syringae effector genes hopAA1-1 and hopM1, as well as a novel type III effector gene designated ropB. These type III effector genes encoded proteins that were secreted in culture and injected into plant cells by both P. syringae and Q8r1-96 T3SSs. The Q8r1-96 T3SS was expressed in the rhizosphere, but mutants lacking a functional T3SS were not altered in their rhizosphere competence. The Q8r1-96 type III effectors RopAA, RopB, and RopM were capable of suppressing the hypersensitive response and production of reactive oxygen species, two plant immune responses.

Effector-triggered and pathogen-associated molecular pattern-triggered immunity differentially contribute to basal resistance to Pseudomonas syringae

Pathogens induce pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP)-triggered immunity (PTI) and effector-triggered immunity (ETI) in plants. PAMPs are microbial molecules recognized by host plants as nonself signals, whereas pathogen effectors are evolved to aid in parasitism but are sometimes recognized by specific intracellular resistance proteins. In the absence of detectable ETI determining classical incompatible interactions, basal resistance exists during compatible and nonhost interactions. What triggers the basal resistance has remained elusive. Here, we provide evidence that ETI contributes to basal resistance during both compatible and nonhost Arabidopsis-Pseudomonas syringae interactions. Mutations in RAR1 and NDR1, two genes required for ETI, compromise basal resistance in both compatible and nonhost interactions. Complete nonhost resistance to P. syringae pv. tabaci required a functional type III secretion system. PTI appears to play a greater role in nonhost resistance than basal resistance during compatible interactions, because abrogation of PTI compromises basal resistance during nonhost but not compatible interactions. Strikingly, simultaneous abrogation of ETI and flagellin-induced PTI rendered plants completely susceptible to the nonadapted bacterium P. syringae pv. tabaci, indicating that ETI and PTI act synergistically during nonhost resistance. Thus, both nonhost resistance and basal resistance to virulent bacteria can be unified under PTI and ETI.

A Pseudomonas syringae ADP-ribosyltransferase inhibits Arabidopsis mitogen-activated protein kinase kinases

The successful recognition of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) as a danger signal is crucial for plants to fend off numerous potential pathogenic microbes. The signal is relayed through mitogen-activated protein kinase (MPK) cascades to activate defenses. Here, we show that the Pseudomonas syringae type III effector HopF2 can interact with Arabidopsis thaliana MAP KINASE KINASE5 (MKK5) and likely other MKKs to inhibit MPKs and PAMP-triggered immunity. Inhibition of PAMP-induced MPK phosphorylation was observed when HopF2 was delivered naturally by the bacterial type III secretion system. In addition, HopF2 Arg-71 and Asp-175 residues that are required for the interaction with MKK5 are also necessary for blocking MAP kinase activation, PAMP-triggered defenses, and virulence function in plants. HopF2 can inactivate MKK5 and ADP-ribosylate the C terminus of MKK5 in vitro. Arg-313 of MKK5 is required for ADP-ribosylation by HopF2 and MKK5 function in the plant cell. Together, these results indicate that MKKs are important targets of HopF2.

Secretion and translocation signals and DspB/F-binding domains in the type III effector DspA/E of Erwinia amylovora

DspA/E is a type III effector of Erwinia amylovora, the bacterial pathogen that causes fire blight disease in roseaceous plants. This effector is indispensable for disease development, and it is translocated into plant cells. A DspA/E-specific chaperone, DspB/F, is necessary for DspA/E secretion and possibly for its translocation. In this work, DspB/F-binding sites and secretion and translocation signals in the DspA/E protein were determined. Based on yeast two-hybrid assays, DspB/F was found to bind DspA/E within the first 210 amino acids of the protein. Surprisingly, both DspB/F and OrfA, the putative chaperone of Eop1, also interacted with the C-terminal 1059 amino acids of DspA/E; this suggests another chaperone-binding site. Secretion and translocation assays using serial N-terminal lengths of DspA/E fused with the active form of AvrRpt2 revealed that at least the first 109 amino acids, including the first N-terminal chaperone-binding motif and DspB/F, were required for efficient translocation of DspA/E, although the first 35 amino acids were sufficient for its secretion and the presence of DspB/F was not required. These results indicate that secretion and translocation signals are present in the N terminus of DspA/E, and that at least one DspB/F-binding motif is required for efficient translocation into plant cells.

Genome-wide identification of a large repertoire of Ralstonia solanacearum type III effector proteins by a new functional screen

The gram-negative plant-pathogenic bacterium Ralstonia solanacearum utilizes the hypersensitive response and pathogenicity (Hrp) type III secretion system (T3SS) to cause disease in plants. To determine the entire repertoire of effector proteins possessed by R. solanacearum RS1000, we constructed a transposon carrying a calmodulin-dependent adenylate cyclase reporter that can be used to specifically detect rip (Ralstonia protein injected into plant cells) genes by monitoring the cAMP level in plant leaves inoculated with insertion mutants. From the new functional screen using this transposon, we identified 38 new Rip proteins translocated into plant cells via the Hrp T3SS. In addition, most of the 34 known effectors of RS1000 could be detected by the screen, except for three effectors that appear to be small in size or only weakly expressed. Finally, we identified 72 Rips in RS1000, which include 68 effector proteins classified into over 50 families and four extracellular components of the Hrp T3SS. Interestingly, one-third of the effectors are specific to R. solanacearum. Many effector proteins contain various repeated amino acid sequences or known enzyme motifs. We also show that most of the R. solanacearum effector proteins, but not Hrp extracellular components, require an Hrp-associated protein, HpaB, for their effective translocation into plant cells.

Transcriptional profile of Pseudomonas syringae pv. phaseolicola NPS3121 in response to tissue extracts from a susceptible Phaseolus vulgaris L. cultivar

BACKGROUND

Pseudomonas syringae pv. phaseolicola is a Gram-negative plant-pathogenic bacterium that causes "halo blight" disease of beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). This disease affects both foliage and pods, and is a major problem in temperate areas of the world. Although several bacterial genes have been determined as participants in pathogenesis, the overall process still remains poorly understood, mainly because the identity and function of many of the genes are largely unknown. In this work, a genomic library of P. syringae pv. phaseolicola NPS3121 was constructed and PCR amplification of individual fragments was carried out in order to print a DNA microarray. This microarray was used to identify genes that are differentially expressed when bean leaf extracts, pod extracts or apoplastic fluid were added to the growth medium.

RESULTS

Transcription profiles show that 224 genes were differentially expressed, the majority under the effect of bean leaf extract and apoplastic fluid. Some of the induced genes were previously known to be involved in the first stages of the bacterial-plant interaction and virulence. These include genes encoding type III secretion system proteins and genes involved in cell-wall degradation, phaseolotoxin synthesis and aerobic metabolism. On the other hand, most repressed genes were found to be involved in the uptake and metabolism of iron.

CONCLUSION

This study furthers the understanding of the mechanisms involved, responses and the metabolic adaptation that occurs during the interaction of P. syringae pv. phaseolicola with a susceptible host plant.

Recombineering and stable integration of the Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae 61 hrp/hrc cluster into the genome of the soil bacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens Pf0-1

Many Gram-negative bacteria use a type III secretion system (T3SS) to establish associations with their hosts. The T3SS is a conduit for direct injection of type-III effector proteins into host cells, where they manipulate the host for the benefit of the infecting bacterium. For plant-associated pathogens, the variations in number and amino acid sequences of type-III effectors, as well as their functional redundancy, make studying type-III effectors challenging. To mitigate this challenge, we developed a stable delivery system for individual or defined sets of type-III effectors into plant cells. We used recombineering and Tn5-mediated transposition to clone and stably integrate, respectively, the complete hrp/hrc region from Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae 61 into the genome of the soil bacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens Pf0-1. We describe our development of Effector-to-Host Analyzer (EtHAn), and demonstrate its utility for studying effectors for their in planta functions.

Roadmap for future research on plant pathogen effectors

Bacterial and eukaryotic plant pathogens deliver effector proteins into plant cells to promote pathogenesis. Bacterial pathogens containing type III protein secretion systems are known to inject many of these effectors into plant cells. More recently, oomycete pathogens have been shown to possess a large family of effectors containing the RXLR motif, and many effectors are also being discovered in fungal pathogens. Although effector activities are largely unknown, at least a subset suppress plant immunity. A plethora of new plant pathogen genomes that will soon be available thanks to next-generation sequencing technologies will allow the identification of many more effectors. This article summarizes the key approaches used to identify plant pathogen effectors, many of which will continue to be useful for future effector discovery. Thus, it can be viewed as a 'roadmap' for effector and effector target identification. Because effectors can be used as tools to elucidate components of innate immunity, advances in our understanding of effectors and their targets should lead to improvements in agriculture.

From bacterial avirulence genes to effector functions via the hrp delivery system: an overview of 25 years of progress in our understanding of plant innate immunity

Cloning the first avirulence (avr) gene has led not only to a deeper understanding of gene-for-gene interactions in plant disease, but also to fundamental insights into the suppression of basal defences against microbial attack. This article (focusing on Pseudomonas syringae) charts the development of ideas and research progress over the 25 years following the breakthrough achieved by Staskawicz and coworkers. Advances in gene cloning technology underpinned the identification of both avr and hrp genes, the latter being required for the activation of the defensive hypersensitive reaction (HR) and pathogenicity. The delivery of Avr proteins through the type III secretion machinery encoded by hrp gene clusters was demonstrated, and the activity of the proteins inside plant cells as elicitors of the HR was confirmed. Key roles for avr genes in pathogenic fitness have now been established. The rebranding of Avr proteins as effectors, proteins that suppress the HR and cell wall-based defences, has led to the ongoing search for their targets, and is generating new insights into the co-ordination of plant resistance against diverse microbes. Bioinformatics-led analysis of effector gene distribution in genomes has provided a remarkable view of the interchange of effectors and also their functional domains, as the arms race of attack and defence drives the evolution of microbial pathogenicity. The application of our accrued knowledge for the development of disease control strategies is considered.

Regulation and secretion of Xanthomonas virulence factors

Plant pathogenic bacteria of the genus Xanthomonas cause a variety of diseases in economically important monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous crop plants worldwide. Successful infection and bacterial multiplication in the host tissue often depend on the virulence factors secreted including adhesins, polysaccharides, LPS and degradative enzymes. One of the key pathogenicity factors is the type III secretion system, which injects effector proteins into the host cell cytosol to manipulate plant cellular processes such as basal defense to the benefit of the pathogen. The coordinated expression of bacterial virulence factors is orchestrated by quorum-sensing pathways, multiple two-component systems and transcriptional regulators such as Clp, Zur, FhrR, HrpX and HpaR. Furthermore, virulence gene expression is post-transcriptionally controlled by the RNA-binding protein RsmA. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the infection strategies and regulatory networks controlling secreted virulence factors from Xanthomonas species.

ETHYLENE INSENSITIVE3 and ETHYLENE INSENSITIVE3-LIKE1 repress SALICYLIC ACID INDUCTION DEFICIENT2 expression to negatively regulate plant innate immunity in Arabidopsis

Pathogen/microbe-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs/MAMPs) trigger plant immunity that forms the first line inducible defenses in plants. The regulatory mechanism of MAMP-triggered immunity, however, is poorly understood. Here, we show that Arabidopsis thaliana transcription factors ETHYLENE INSENSITIVE3 (EIN3) and ETHYLENE INSENSITIVE3-LIKE1 (EIL1), previously known to mediate ethylene signaling, also negatively regulate PAMP-triggered immunity. Plants lacking EIN3 and EIL1 display enhanced PAMP defenses and heightened resistance to Pseudomonas syringae bacteria. Conversely, plants overaccumulating EIN3 are compromised in PAMP defenses and exhibit enhanced disease susceptibility to Pseudomonas syringae. Microarray analysis revealed that EIN3 and EIL1 negatively control PAMP response genes. Further analyses indicated that SALICYLIC ACID INDUCTION DEFICIENT2 (SID2), which encodes isochorismate synthase required for pathogen-induced biosynthesis of salicylic acid (SA), is a key target of EIN3 and EIL1. Consistent with this, the ein3-1 eil1-1 double mutant constitutively accumulates SA in the absence of pathogen attack, and a mutation in SID2 restores normal susceptibility in the ein3 eil1 double mutant. EIN3 can specifically bind SID2 promoter sequence in vitro and in vivo. Taken together, our data provide evidence that EIN3/EIL1 directly target SID2 to downregulate PAMP defenses.

Identification of novel Ralstonia solanacearum type III effector proteins through translocation analysis of hrpB-regulated gene products

The Hrp type III secretion system (TTSS) is essential for the pathogenicity of Ralstonia solanacearum on host plants. Hrp TTSS is a specialized secretion system that injects virulence proteins, the so-called type III effector proteins, into plant cells. In R. solanacearum, the expression of Hrp TTSS-related genes is regulated by an AraC-type transcriptional activator, HrpB. We have identified 30 hrpB-regulated hpx (hrpB-dependent expression) genes and three well-known hrpB-regulated genes, popA, popB and popC, as candidate effector genes in R. solanacearum strain RS1000. In this study, we newly cloned 11 additional candidate effector genes that share homology with known hpx genes from R. solanacearum RS1000. Using a Cya reporter system, we investigated the translocation of these 44 gene products into plant cells via the Hrp TTSS and identified 34 effector proteins. These include three effector families composed of more than four members, namely the Hpx4, Hpx30 and GALA families. The Hpx30 family effectors are 2200-2500 aa in size and appear to be the largest class of effector proteins among animal- and plant-pathogenic bacteria. Members of this family contain 12-18 tandem repeats of a novel 42 aa motif, designated SKWP repeats.

Features of basal and race-specific defences in photosynthetic Arabidopsis thaliana suspension cultured cells

Plant suspension cell cultures display many features of the innate immune responses observed in planta and have been extensively applied to the study of basal and race-specific defences. However, no single model including photosynthetic cultured cells has been used for the exhaustive characterization of both basal and race-specific defences to date. In this article, we report the activation of basal and race-specific defences in green cultured cells from Arabidopsis thaliana. Inoculation of cultured cells with isogenic virulent or avirulent strains of Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 (Pst) was used to evaluate race-specific defences. The proliferation of avirulent Pst was found to be lower than that of virulent Pst in the inoculated cultures. Extracellular pH changes, sustained oxidative burst (5-13 h post-inoculation), enhancement of salicylic acid, and massive cell death were specifically stimulated by the avirulent bacterium. Neither avirulent nor virulent Pst induced markers of basal resistance, such as callose deposition or early oxidative burst (1-5 h post-inoculation). However, both basal defences were activated when cells were exposed to Pseudomonas syringae pv. phaseolicola or to the Pst mutant defective in the type III secretion system (TTSS), Pst-hrpL(-). Thus, in these cells, basal defences may be inhibited by Pst in a TTSS-dependent manner. Recapitulation of classical defence features demonstrates the usefulness of this system for the fine characterization of plant innate immune components.

Plant pattern-recognition receptor FLS2 is directed for degradation by the bacterial ubiquitin ligase AvrPtoB

BACKGROUND

An important layer of active defense in plant immunity is the detection of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) mediated by cell-surface receptors. For the establishment of disease, pathogens depend on the ability to overcome PAMP perception and disable plant signaling pathways activated in response to PAMPs. Pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) are therefore prime targets for pathogen effectors. FLS2, its coreceptor BAK1, and EFR encode receptor-like kinases that play a role in immunity against bacterial pathogens.

RESULTS

Here, we report that virulence of Pseudomonas syringae pv tomato DC3000 (PtoDC3000) in Arabidopsis is enhanced through the action of its effector AvrPtoB, which promotes degradation of FLS2. We show that AvrPtoB, through its N terminus, associates with FLS2 and BAK1, of which interaction with FLS2 is enhanced by flg22 activation. In vitro, AvrPtoB is active as an E3 ligase to catalyze polyubiquitination of the kinase domain of FLS2, a process confirmed in planta. Full enhancement of PtoDC3000 virulence appears to require the E3 ligase activity of AvrPtoB.

CONCLUSIONS

AvrPtoB, initially identified through its activation of hypersensitive resistance in tomato cultivars expressing the Pto kinase, is composed of at least two functional domains: the N terminus is responsible for interaction with Pto, and the C terminus carries an E3 ligase activity. Based on our findings, we propose that both domains of AvrPtoB act together to support the virulence of PtoDC3000 in Arabidopsis through their ability to eliminate FLS2 from the cell periphery, and probably also other PAMP sensors that are constitutively expressed or induced after pathogen challenge.

Identification of novel type III secretion effectors in Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae

Many gram-negative bacteria secrete so-called effector proteins via a type III secretion (T3S) system. Through genome screening for genes encoding potential T3S effectors, 60 candidates were selected from rice pathogen Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae MAFF311018 using these criteria: i) homologs of known T3S effectors in plant-pathogenic bacteria, ii) genes with expression regulated by hrp regulatory protein HrpX, or iii) proteins with N-terminal amino acid patterns associated with T3S substrates of Pseudomonas syringae. Of effector candidates tested with the Bordetella pertussis calmodulin-dependent adenylate cyclase reporter for translocation into plant cells, 16 proteins were translocated in a T3S system-dependent manner. Of these 16 proteins, nine were homologs of known effectors in other plant-pathogenic bacteria and seven were not. Most of the effectors were widely conserved in Xanthomonas spp.; however, some were specific to X. oryzae. Interestingly, all these effectors were expressed in an HrpX-dependent manner, suggesting coregulation of effectors and the T3S system. In X. campestris pv. vesicatoria, HpaB and HpaC (HpaP in X. oryzae pv. oryzae) have a central role in recruiting T3S substrates to the secretion apparatus. Secretion of all but one effector was reduced in both HpaB() and HpaP() mutant strains, indicating that HpaB and HpaP are widely involved in efficient secretion of the effectors.

Distinguishing bacterial pathogens of potato using a genome-wide microarray approach

A set of 9676 probes was designed for the most harmful bacterial pathogens of potato and tested in a microarray format. Gene-specific probes could be designed for all genes of Pectobacterium atrosepticum, c. 50% of the genes of Streptomyces scabies and c. 30% of the genes of Clavibacter michiganensis ssp. sepedonicus utilizing the whole-genome sequence information available. For Streptomyces turgidiscabies, 226 probes were designed according to the sequences of a pathogenicity island containing important virulence genes. In addition, probes were designed for the virulence-associated nip (necrosis-inducing protein) genes of P. atrosepticum, P. carotovorum and Dickeya dadantii and for the intergenic spacer (IGS) sequences of the 16S-23S rRNA gene region. Ralstonia solanacearum was not included in the study, because it is a quarantine organism and is not presently found in Finland, but a few probes were also designed for this species. The probes contained on average 40 target-specific nucleotides and were synthesized on the array in situ, organized as eight sub-arrays with an identical set of probes which could be used for hybridization with different samples. All bacteria were readily distinguished using a single channel system for signal detection. Nearly all of the c. 1000 probes designed for C. michiganensis ssp. sepedonicus, c. 50% and 40% of the c. 4000 probes designed for the genes of S. scabies and P. atrosepticum, respectively, and over 100 probes for S. turgidiscabies showed significant signals only with the respective species. P. atrosepticum, P. carotovorum and Dickeya strains were all detected with 110 common probes. By contrast, the strains of these species were found to differ in their signal profiles. Probes targeting the IGS region and nip genes could be used to place strains of Dickeya to two groups, which correlated with differences in virulence. Taken together, the approach of using a custom-designed, genome-wide microarray provided a robust means for distinguishing the bacterial pathogens of potato.

Mining the genomes of plant pathogenic bacteria: how not to drown in gigabases of sequence

Hundreds of bacterial genomes including the genomes of dozens of plant pathogenic bacteria have been sequenced. These genomes represent an invaluable resource for molecular plant pathologists. In this review, we describe different approaches that can be used for mining bacterial genome sequences and examples of how some of these approaches have been used to analyse plant pathogen genomes so far. We review how genomes can be mined one by one and how comparative genomics of closely related genomes releases the true power of genomics. Databases and tools useful for genome mining that are publicly accessible on the Internet are also described. Finally, the need for new databases and tools to efficiently mine today's plant pathogen genomes and hundreds more in the near future is discussed.

The Pseudomonas syringae type III effector tyrosine phosphatase HopAO1 suppresses innate immunity in Arabidopsis thaliana

The bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato (Pst) strain DC3000 infects tomato and Arabidopsis plants, and is a model for studying the molecular basis of bacterial disease. Pst DC3000 secretes a battery of largely uncharacterized effector proteins into host cells via a type-III secretion system (TTSS). Little is currently known about the molecular mechanisms by which individual TTSS effectors promote virulence. The effector HopAO1 has similarity to protein tyrosine phosphatases, including a conserved catalytic site, and suppresses the hypersensitive response (HR) in some non-host plants. Whether HopAO1 has a similar effect in the host Arabidopsis is not clear. Here, we show that transgenic expression of HopAO1 in Arabidopsis suppresses callose deposition elicited by the Pst DC3000 hrpA mutant, and allows the normally non-pathogenic hrpA mutant to multiply within the leaf tissue. HopAO1 also suppresses resistance to Pst DC3000 induced by flg22, a pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP). However, HopAO1 does not suppress the HR triggered by several classical avirulence genes. These results suggest that HopAO1 targets primarily PAMP-induced innate immunity in Arabidopsis. The virulence function of HopAO1 is dependent on an intact phosphatase catalytic site, as transgenic plants expressing a catalytically inactive derivative do not show these effects. Intriguingly, expression of the catalytically inactive HopAO1 has a dominant-negative effect on the function of the wild-type HopAO1. Analysis of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activity suggests that HopAO1 targets a step downstream or independent of MAPK activation. Genome-wide expression analysis revealed that expression of several well-known defense genes was suppressed in hrpA mutant-infected HopAO1 transgenic plants.

Mutation of Lon protease differentially affects the expression of Pseudomonas syringae type III secretion system genes in rich and minimal media and reduces pathogenicity

The bacterial Lon protease participates in a variety of biological processes. In Pseudomonas syringae, mutation of lon is known to activate hrpL and a few hrpL-regulated genes in rich medium. The elevated expression of hrpL and hrpL-regulated genes results from increased stability of HrpR, the transcriptional activator of hrpL, in the lon mutant. Here, we conducted a microarray analysis to identify genes that are differentially expressed in a lon- mutant of P. syringae pv. tomato DC3000 grown in the rich medium King's B (KB). Most genes induced in the lon- mutant belong to the HrpL regulon or are related to transcription, protein synthesis, and energy metabolism. A major group of genes reduced in the lon- mutant are related to cell wall biogenesis. The HrpL-regulated genes exhibit different induction patterns in the lon- mutant, suggesting that additional regulators other than HrpL are likely to be involved in regulation of these genes. Compared with the wild-type bacteria, lon- mutants of P. syringae pv. tomato DC3000 and P. syringae pv. phaseolicola NPS3121 strains exhibit elevated hrpL expression in KB medium, but reduced hrpL expression in minimal medium (MM). The reduced hrpL RNA is correlated with reduced hrpR and hrpS RNAs, suggesting that the Lon-mediated regulation of hrpL involves different mechanisms in KB and MM. The lon- mutation also reduced bacterial pathogenicity.

Transcript profiling in host-pathogen interactions

Using genomic technologies, it is now possible to address research hypotheses in the context of entire developmental or biochemical pathways, gene networks, and chromosomal location of relevant genes and their inferred evolutionary history. Through a range of platforms, researchers can survey an entire transcriptome under a variety of experimental and field conditions. Interpretation of such data has led to new insights and revealed previously undescribed phenomena. In the area of plant-pathogen interactions, transcript profiling has provided unparalleled perception into the mechanisms underlying gene-for-gene resistance and basal defense, host vs nonhost resistance, biotrophy vs necrotrophy, and pathogenicity of vascular vs nonvascular pathogens, among many others. In this way, genomic technologies have facilitated a system-wide approach to unifying themes and unique features in the interactions of hosts and pathogens.

Closing the circle on the discovery of genes encoding Hrp regulon members and type III secretion system effectors in the genomes of three model Pseudomonas syringae strains

Pseudomonas syringae strains translocate large and distinct collections of effector proteins into plant cells via the type III secretion system (T3SS). Mutations in T3SS-encoding hrp genes are unable to elicit the hypersensitive response or pathogenesis in nonhost and host plants, respectively. Mutations in individual effectors lack strong phenotypes, which has impeded their discovery. P. syringae effectors are designated Hop (Hrp outer protein) or Avr (avirulence) proteins. Some Hop proteins are considered to be extracellular T3SS helpers acting at the plant-bacterium interface. Identification of complete sets of effectors and related proteins has been enabled by the application of bioinformatic and high-throughput experimental techniques to the complete genome sequences of three model strains: P. syringae pv. tomato DC3000, P. syringae pv. phaseolicola 1448A, and P. syringae pv. syringae B728a. Several recent papers, including three in this issue of Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions, address the effector inventories of these strains. These studies establish that active effector genes in P. syringae are expressed by the HrpL alternative sigma factor and can be predicted on the basis of cis Hrp promoter sequences and N-terminal amino-acid patterns. Among the three strains analyzed, P. syringae pv. tomato DC3000 has the largest effector inventory and P. syringae pv. syringae B728a has the smallest. Each strain has several effector genes that appear inactive. Only five of the 46 effector families that are represented in these three strains have an active member in all of the strains. Web-based community resources for managing and sharing growing information on these complex effector arsenals should help future efforts to understand how effectors promote P. syringae virulence.

Regulation of the type III secretion system in phytopathogenic bacteria

The type III secretion system (TTSS) is a specialized protein secretion machinery used by numerous gram-negative bacterial pathogens of animals and plants to deliver effector proteins directly into the host cells. In plant-pathogenic bacteria, genes encoding the TTSS were discovered as hypersensitive response and pathogenicity (hrp) genes, because mutation of these genes typically disrupts the bacterial ability to cause diseases on host plants and to elicit hypersensitive response on nonhost plants. The hrp genes and the type III effector genes (collectively called TTSS genes hereafter) are repressed in nutrient-rich media but induced when bacteria are infiltrated into plants or incubated in nutrient-deficient inducing media. Multiple regulatory components have been identified in the plant-pathogenic bacteria regulating TTSS genes under various conditions. In Ralstonia solanacearum, several signal transduction components essential for the induction of TTSS genes in plants are dispensable for the induction in inducing medium. In addition to the inducing signals, recent studies indicated the presence of negative signals in the plant regulating the Pseudomonas syringae TTSS genes. Thus, the levels of TTSS gene expression in plants likely are determined by the interactions of multiple signal transduction pathways. Studies of the hrp regulons indicated that TTSS genes are coordinately regulated with a number of non-TTSS genes.

Multiple approaches to a complete inventory of Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 type III secretion system effector proteins

Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 is a pathogen of tomato and Arabidopsis that translocates virulence effector proteins into host cells via a type III secretion system (T3SS). Many effector-encoding hypersensitive response and pathogenicity (Hrp) outer protein (hop) genes have been identified previously in DC3000 using bioinformatic methods based on Hrp promoter sequences and characteristic N-terminal amino acid patterns that are associated with T3SS substrates. To approach completion of the Hop/effector inventory in DC3000, 44 additional candidates were tested by the Bordetella pertussis calmodulin-dependent adenylate cyclase (Cya) translocation reporter assay; 10 of the high-probability candidates were confirmed as T3SS substrates. Several previously predicted hop genes were tested for their ability to be expressed in an HrpL-dependent manner in culture or to be expressed in planta. The data indicate that DC3000 harbors 53 hop/avr genes and pseudogenes (encoding both injected effectors and T3SS substrates that probably are released to the apoplast); 33 of these genes are likely functional in DC3000, 12 are nonfunctional members of valid Hop families, and 8 are less certain regarding their production at functional levels. Growth of DC3000 in tomato and Arabidopsis Col-0 was not impaired by constitutive expression of repaired versions of two hops that were disrupted naturally by transposable elements or of hop genes that are naturally cryptic. In summary, DC3000 carries a complex mixture of active and inactive hop genes, and the hop genes in P. syringae can be identified efficiently by bioinformatic methods; however, a precise inventory of the subset of Hops that are important in pathogenesis awaits more knowledge based on mutant phenotypes and functions within plants.

Whole-genome expression profiling defines the HrpL regulon of Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000, allows de novo reconstruction of the Hrp cis clement, and identifies novel coregulated genes

Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 is a model pathogen of tomato and Arabidopsis that uses a hypersensitive response and pathogenicity (Hrp) type III secretion system (T3SS) to deliver virulence effector proteins into host cells. Expression of the Hrp system and many effector genes is activated by the HrpL alternative sigma factor. Here, an open reading frame-specific whole-genome microarray was constructed for DC3000 and used to comprehensively identify genes that are differentially expressed in wild-type and deltahrpL strains. Among the genes whose differential regulation was statistically significant, 119 were upregulated and 76 were downregulated in the wild-type compared with the deltahrpL strain. Hierarchical clustering revealed a subset of eight genes that were upregulated particularly rapidly. Gibbs sampling of regions upstream of HrpL-activated operons revealed the Hrp promoter as the only identifiable regulatory motif and supported an iterative refinement involving real-time polymerase chain reaction testing of additional HrpL-activated genes and refinements in a hidden Markov model that can be used to predict Hrp promoters in P. syringae strains. This iterative bioinformatic-experimental approach to a comprehensive analysis of the HrpL regulon revealed a mix of genes controlled by HrpL, including those encoding most type III effectors, twin-arginine transport (TAT) substrates, other regulatory proteins, and proteins involved in the synthesis or metabolism of phytohormones, phytotoxins, and myo-inositol. This analysis provides an extensively verified, robust method for predicting Hrp promoters in P. syringae genomes, and it supports subsequent identification of effectors and other factors that likely are important to the host-specific virulence of P. syringae.

Bioinformatics-enabled identification of the HrpL regulon and type III secretion system effector proteins of Pseudomonas syringae pv. phaseolicola 1448A

The ability of Pseudomonas syringae pv. phaseolicola to cause halo blight of bean is dependent on its ability to translocate effector proteins into host cells via the hypersensitive response and pathogenicity (Hrp) type III secretion system (T3SS). To identify genes encoding type III effectors and other potential virulence factors that are regulated by the HrpL alternative sigma factor, we used a hidden Markov model, weight matrix model, and type III targeting-associated patterns to search the genome of P. syringae pv. phaseolicola 1448A, which recently was sequenced to completion. We identified 44 high-probability putative Hrp promoters upstream of genes encoding the core T3SS machinery, 27 candidate effectors and related T3SS substrates, and 10 factors unrelated to the Hrp system. The expression of 13 of these candidate HrpL regulon genes was analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction, and all were found to be upregulated by HrpL. Six of the candidate type III effectors were assayed for T3SS-dependent translocation into plant cells using the Bordetella pertussis calmodulin-dependent adenylate cyclase (Cya) translocation reporter, and all were translocated. PSPPH1855 (ApbE-family protein) and PSPPH3759 (alcohol dehydrogenase) have no apparent T3SS-related function; however, they do have homologs in the model strain P. syringae pv. tomato DC3000 (PSPTO2105 and PSPTO0834, respectively) that are similarly upregulated by HrpL. Mutations were constructed in the DC3000 homologs and found to reduce bacterial growth in host Arabidopsis leaves. These results establish the utility of the bioinformatic or candidate gene approach to identifying effectors and other genes relevant to pathogenesis in P. syringae genomes.

Type III effector diversification via both pathoadaptation and horizontal transfer in response to a coevolutionary arms race

The concept of the coevolutionary arms race holds a central position in our understanding of pathogen–host interactions. Here we identify the molecular mechanisms and follow the stepwise progression of an arms race in a natural system. We show how the evolution and function of the HopZ family of type III secreted effector proteins carried by the plant pathogen Pseudomonas syringae are influenced by a coevolutionary arms race between pathogen and host. We surveyed 96 isolates of P. syringae and identified three homologs (HopZ1, HopZ2, and HopZ3) distributed among ∼45% of the strains. All alleles were sequenced and their expression was confirmed. Evolutionary analyses determined that the diverse HopZ1 homologs are ancestral to P. syringae, and have diverged via pathoadaptive mutational changes into three functional and two degenerate forms, while HopZ2 and HopZ3 have been brought into P. syringae via horizontal transfer from other ecologically similar bacteria. A PAML selection analysis revealed that the C terminus of HopZ1 is under strong positive selection. Despite the extensive genetic variation observed in this family, all three homologs have cysteine–protease activity, although their substrate specificity may vary. The introduction of the ancestral hopZ1 allele into strains harboring alternate alleles results in a resistance protein-mediated defense response in their respective hosts, which is not observed with the endogenous allele. These data indicate that the P. syringae HopZ family has undergone allelic diversification via both pathoadaptive mutational changes and horizontal transfer in response to selection imposed by the host defense system. This genetic diversity permits the pathogen to avoid host defenses while still maintaining a virulence-associated protease, thereby allowing it to thrive on its current host, while simultaneously impacting its host range.

Pathogens and their hosts impose reciprocal selective pressures on each other, such that the improvement of one selects for the improvement of the other. Pathogens that are able to evolve increasingly effective methods of attacking their hosts select for hosts that are able to mount increasingly effective defenses against pathogen attack. This coevolutionary interaction is commonly referred to as an arms race, or the Red Queen Principle, taken from Lewis Carroll's Through the Looking Glass, and What Alice Found There, in which Alice and the Red Queen had to run as fast as they could simply to stay in the same place. Many pathogenic bacteria rely on specialized virulence proteins, called type III secreted effectors (T3SEs), to cause disease. These proteins are injected into the cells of the host, and often act to disrupt the host defense response. This study shows how the HopZ family of T3SEs in the pathogen Pseudomonas syringae evolves in response to coevolutionary selective pressures imposed by its plant hosts. The authors identify the version of the hopZ gene that is most similar to the one carried by the ancestral strain, and then show how this version has been modified by mutation and selection in response to the host defense systems. They also identify genes related to hopZ from other species that were brought into P. syringae presumably in response to this same host-imposed selective pressure. Finally, the authors show how the genetic diversity in this gene family permits the pathogen to avoid host defenses while still maintaining an important virulence-associated function. This study provides a clearer picture of the molecular interactions that drive coevolutionary interactions, and insight into how ecological processes play out at the molecular and evolutionary scale.

Genome-wide gene expression analysis of Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 reveals overlapping and distinct pathways regulated by hrpL and hrpRS

Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 is a model pathogen infecting tomato and Arabidopsis plants. Genes encoding the type III secretion system and substrate proteins (collectively called TTSS genes) of this bacterium are induced in plants and in minimal medium (MM). The induction of TTSS genes is mediated by HrpL, an alternative sigma factor recognizing the hrp box in the promoter of TTSS genes. The transcription of hrpL is activated by HrpR and HrpS, two homologous DNA-binding proteins encoded by the hrpRS operon. Microarray analysis was conducted to evaluate the DC3000 genes regulated by hrpL and hrpRS in MM. The analysis identified a number of novel hrpL-activated genes with a putative TTSS-independent function. Genes regulated by hrpL were mostly regulated by hrpRS in the same manner, but a large number of genes regulated by hrpRS were hrpL-independent, indicating that hrpL represents one branch of the regulatory pathways downstream of hrpRS. The induction of the TTSS genes was associated with downregulation of the housekeeping genes, indicating that the activation of the TTSS has a cost on the basic cellular activities. The novel genes and pathways identified by the microarray provide new insight into the bacterial functions coordinating with the TTSS.