Type III protein secretion systems in plant and animal pathogenic bacteria

sRNA molecules participate in hyperosmotic stress response regulation in Sphingomonas melonis TY

Drought and salinity are ubiquitous environmental factors that pose hyperosmotic threats to microorganisms and impair their efficiency in performing environmental functions. However, bacteria have developed various responses and regulatory systems to cope with these abiotic challenges. Posttranscriptional regulation plays vital roles in regulating gene expression and cellular homeostasis, as hyperosmotic stress conditions can lead to the induction of specific small RNA molecules (sRNAs) that participate in stress response regulation. Here, we report a candidate functional sRNA landscape of Sphingomonas melonis TY under hyperosmotic stress, and 18 sRNAs were found with a clear response to hyperosmotic stress. These findings will help in the comprehensive analysis of sRNA regulation in Sphingomonas species. Weighted correlation network analysis revealed a 263 nucleotide sRNA, SNC251, which was transcribed from its own promoter and showed the most significant correlation with hyperosmotic response factors. Deletion of snc251 affected biofilm formation and multiple cellular processes, including ribosome-related pathways, aromatic compound degradation, and the nicotine degradation capacity of S. melonis TY, while overexpression of SNC251 facilitated biofilm formation by TY under hyperosmotic stress. Two genes involved in the TonB system were further verified to be activated by SNC251, which also indicated that SNC251 is a trans-acting sRNA. Briefly, this research reports a landscape of sRNAs participating in the hyperosmotic stress response in S. melonis and reveals a novel sRNA, SNC251, which contributes to the S. melonis TY biofilm formation and thus enhances its hyperosmotic stress response ability.IMPORTANCESphingomonas species play a vital role in plant defense and pollutant degradation and survive extensively under drought or salinity. Previous studies have focused on the transcriptional and translational responses of Sphingomonas under hyperosmotic stress, but the posttranscriptional regulation of small RNA molecules (sRNAs) is also crucial for quickly modulating cellular processes to adapt dynamically to osmotic environments. In addition, the current knowledge of sRNAs in Sphingomonas is extremely scarce. This research revealed a novel sRNA landscape of Sphingomonas melonis and will greatly enhance our understanding of sRNAs' acting mechanisms in the hyperosmotic stress response.

GacA reduces virulence and increases competitiveness in planta in the tumorigenic olive pathogen Pseudomonas savastanoi pv. savastanoi

GacS/GacA is a widely distributed two-component system playing an essential role as a key global regulator, although its characterization in phytopathogenic bacteria has been deeply biased, being intensively studied in pathogens of herbaceous plants but barely investigated in pathogens of woody hosts. P. savastanoi pv. savastanoi (Psv) is characterized by inducing tumours in the stem and branches of olive trees. In this work, the model strain Psv NCPPB 3335 and a mutant derivative with a complete deletion of gene gacA were subjected to RNA-Seq analyses in a minimum medium and a medium mimicking in planta conditions, accompanied by RT-qPCR analyses of selected genes and phenotypic assays. These experiments indicated that GacA participates in the regulation of at least 2152 genes in strain NCPPB 3335, representing 37.9 % of the annotated CDSs. GacA also controls the expression of diverse rsm genes, and modulates diverse phenotypes, including motility and resistance to oxidative stresses. As occurs with other P. syringae pathovars of herbaceous plants, GacA regulates the expression of the type III secretion system and cognate effectors. In addition, GacA also regulates the expression of WHOP genes, specifically encoded in P. syringe strains isolated from woody hosts, and genes for the biosynthesis of phytohormones. A gacA mutant of NCPPB 3335 showed increased virulence, producing large immature tumours with high bacterial populations, but showed a significantly reduced competitiveness in planta. Our results further extend the role of the global regulator GacA in the virulence and fitness of a P. syringae pathogen of woody hosts.

Review of Label-Free Monitoring of Bacteria: From Challenging Practical Applications to Basic Research Perspectives

Novel biosensors already provide a fast way to detect the adhesion of whole bacteria (or parts of them), biofilm formation, and the effect of antibiotics. Moreover, the detection sensitivities of recent sensor technologies are large enough to investigate molecular-scale biological processes. Usually, these measurements can be performed in real time without using labeling. Despite these excellent capabilities summarized in the present work, the application of novel, label-free sensor technologies in basic biological research is still rare; the literature is dominated by heuristic work, mostly monitoring the presence and amount of a given analyte. The aims of this review are (i) to give an overview of the present status of label-free biosensors in bacteria monitoring, and (ii) to summarize potential novel directions with biological relevancies to initiate future development. Optical, mechanical, and electrical sensing technologies are all discussed with their detailed capabilities in bacteria monitoring. In order to review potential future applications of the outlined techniques in bacteria research, we summarize the most important kinetic processes relevant to the adhesion and survival of bacterial cells. These processes are potential targets of kinetic investigations employing modern label-free technologies in order to reveal new fundamental aspects. Resistance to antibacterials and to other antimicrobial agents, the most important biological mechanisms in bacterial adhesion and strategies to control adhesion, as well as bacteria-mammalian host cell interactions are all discussed with key relevancies to the future development and applications of biosensors.

From plants to antimicrobials: Natural products against bacterial membranes

Bacterial membrane barrier provides a cytoplasmic environment for organelles of bacteria. The membrane is composed of lipid compounds containing phosphatide protein and a minimal amount of sugars, and is responsible for intercellular transfers of chemicals. Several antimicrobials have been found that affect bacterial cytoplasmic membranes. These compounds generally disrupt the organization of the membrane or perforate it. By destroying the membrane, the drugs can permeate and replace the effective macromolecules necessary for cell life. Furthermore, they can disrupt electrical gradients of the cells through impairment of the membrane integrity. In recent years, considering the spread of microbial resistance and the side effects of antibiotics, natural antimicrobial compounds have been studied by researchers extensively. These molecules are the best alternative for controlling bacterial infections and reducing drug resistance due to the lack of severe side effects, low cost of production, and biocompatibility. Better understanding of the natural compounds' mechanisms against bacteria provides improved strategies for antimicrobial therapies. In this review, natural products with antibacterial activities focusing on membrane damaging mechanisms were described. However, further high-quality research studies are needed to confirm the clinical efficacy of these natural products.

A compendium of DNA-binding specificities of transcription factors in Pseudomonas syringae

Pseudomonas syringae is a Gram-negative and model pathogenic bacterium that causes plant diseases worldwide. Here, we set out to identify binding motifs for all 301 annotated transcription factors (TFs) of P. syringae using HT-SELEX. We successfully identify binding motifs for 100 TFs. We map functional interactions between the TFs and their targets in virulence-associated pathways, and validate many of these interactions and functions using additional methods such as ChIP-seq, electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA), RT-qPCR, and reporter assays. Our work identifies 25 virulence-associated master regulators, 14 of which had not been characterized as TFs before.

The authors set out to identify binding motifs for all 301 transcription factors of a plant pathogenic bacterium, Pseudomonas syringae, using HT-SELEX. They successfully identify binding motifs for 100 transcription factors, infer their binding sites on the genome, and validate the predicted interactions and functions.

Chemical Targeting and Manipulation of Type III Secretion in the Phytopathogen Xanthomonas campestris for Control of Disease

The bacterium Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris is known to cause black rot disease in many socioeconomically important vegetable crops worldwide. The management and control of black rot disease have been tackled with chemical and host resistance methods with variable success. This has motivated the development of alternative methods for preventing this disease. Here, we identify a set of novel small molecules capable of inhibiting X. campestris pv. campestris virulence, which may represent leading compounds for the further development of antivirulence agents that could be used in the control of black rot disease.

Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris is the causative agent of black rot disease in crucifer plants. This Gram-negative bacterium utilizes the type III secretion system (T3SS), encoded by the hrp gene cluster, to aid in its resistance to host defenses and the ability to cause disease. The T3SS injects a set of proteins known as effectors into host cells that come into contact with the bacterium. The T3SS is essential for the virulence and hypersensitive response (HR) of X. campestris pv. campestris, making it a potential target for disease control strategies. Using a unique and straightforward high-throughput screening method, we examined a large collection of diverse small molecules for their potential to modulate the T3SS without affecting the growth of X. campestris pv. campestris. Screening of 13,129 different compounds identified 10 small molecules that had a significant inhibitory influence on T3SS. Moreover, reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) assays demonstrated that all 10 compounds repress the expression of the hrp genes. Interestingly, the effect of these small molecules on hrp genes may be through the HpaS and ColS sensor kinase proteins that are key to the regulation of the T3SS in planta. Five of the compounds were also capable of inhibiting X. campestris pv. campestris virulence in a Chinese radish leaf-clipping assay. Furthermore, seven of the small molecules significantly weakened the HR in nonhost pepper plants challenged with X. campestris pv. campestris. Taken together, these small molecules may provide potential tool compounds for the further development of antivirulence agents that could be used in disease control of the plant pathogen X. campestris pv. campestris.

IMPORTANCE The bacterium Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris is known to cause black rot disease in many socioeconomically important vegetable crops worldwide. The management and control of black rot disease have been tackled with chemical and host resistance methods with variable success. This has motivated the development of alternative methods for preventing this disease. Here, we identify a set of novel small molecules capable of inhibiting X. campestris pv. campestris virulence, which may represent leading compounds for the further development of antivirulence agents that could be used in the control of black rot disease.

Small RNA ArcZ Regulates Oxidative Stress Response Genes and Regulons in Erwinia amylovora

Erwinia amylovora, causative agent of fire blight disease of apple and pear trees, has evolved to use small RNAs for post-transcriptional regulation of virulence traits important for disease development. The sRNA ArcZ regulates several virulence traits, and to better understand its roles, we conducted a transcriptomic comparison of wild-type and ΔarcZ mutant E. amylovora. We found that ArcZ regulates multiple cellular processes including genes encoding enzymes involved in mitigating the threat of reactive oxygen species (katA, tpx, osmC), and that the ΔarcZ mutant has reduced catalase activity and is more susceptible to exogenous hydrogen peroxide. We quantified hydrogen peroxide production by apple leaves inoculated with E. amylovora and found that the while wild-type E. amylovora cells produce enough catalase to cope with defense peroxide, the ΔarcZ mutant is likely limited in virulence because of inability to cope with peroxide levels in host leaves. We further found that the ArcZ regulon overlaps significantly with the regulons of transcription factors involved in oxidative sensing including Fnr and ArcA. In addition, we show that ArcZ regulates arcA at the post-transcriptional level suggesting a role for this system in mediating adaptations to oxidative state, especially during disease development.

A human pathogenic bacterium Shigella proliferates in plants through adoption of type III effectors for shigellosis

Shigella, which infects primates, can be transmitted via fresh vegetables; however, its molecular interactions with plants have not been elucidated. Here, we show that four Shigella strains, Shigella boydii, Shigella sonnei, Shigella flexneri 2a, and S. flexneri 5a, proliferate at different levels in Arabidopsis thaliana. Microscopic studies revealed that these bacteria were present inside leaves and damaged plant cells. Green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged S. boydii and S. flexneri 5a colonized leaves only, whereas S. flexneri 2a colonized both leaves and roots. Using Shigella mutants lacking type III secretion systems (T3SSs), we found that T3SSs that regulate the pathogenesis of shigellosis in humans also play a central role in bacterial proliferation in Arabidopsis. Strikingly, the immunosuppressive activity of two T3S effectors, OspF and OspG, was required for proliferation of Shigella in Arabidopsis. Of note, delivery of OspF or OspG effectors inside plant cells upon Shigella inoculation was confirmed using a split GFP system. These findings demonstrate that the human pathogen Shigella can proliferate in plants by adapting immunosuppressive machinery used in the original host human.

Crystal Structure-Based Exploration of Arginine-Containing Peptide Binding in the ADP-Ribosyltransferase Domain of the Type III Effector XopAI Protein

Plant pathogens secrete proteins called effectors into the cells of their host to modulate the host immune response against colonization. Effectors can either modify or arrest host target proteins to sabotage the signaling pathway, and therefore are considered potential drug targets for crop disease control. In earlier research, the Xanthomonas type III effector XopAI was predicted to be a member of the arginine-specific mono-ADP-ribosyltransferase family. However, the crystal structure of XopAI revealed an altered active site that is unsuitable to bind the cofactor NAD+, but with the capability to capture an arginine-containing peptide from XopAI itself. The arginine peptide consists of residues 60 through 69 of XopAI, and residue 62 (R62) is key to determining the protein–peptide interaction. The crystal structure and the molecular dynamics simulation results indicate that specific arginine recognition is mediated by hydrogen bonds provided by the backbone oxygen atoms from residues W154, T155, and T156, and a salt bridge provided by the E265 sidechain. In addition, a protruding loop of XopAI adopts dynamic conformations in response to arginine peptide binding and is probably involved in target protein recognition. These data suggest that XopAI binds to its target protein by the peptide-binding ability, and therefore, it promotes disease progression. Our findings reveal an unexpected and intriguing function of XopAI and pave the way for further investigation on the role of XopAI in pathogen invasion.

Classical Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr) Symbionts, Sinorhizobium fredii USDA191 and Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens USDA110, Reveal Contrasting Symbiotic Phenotype on Pigeon Pea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp)

Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millspaugh) is cultivated widely in semiarid agricultural regions in over 90 countries around the world. This important legume can enter into symbiotic associations with a wide range of rhizobia including Bradyrhizobium and fast-growing rhizobia. In comparison with other major legumes such as soybean and common bean, only limited information is available on the symbiotic interaction of pigeon pea with rhizobia. In this study, we investigated the ability of two classical soybean symbionts-S. fredii USDA191 and B. diazoefficiens USDA110-and their type 3 secretion system (T3SS) mutants, to nodulate pigeon pea. Both S. fredii USDA191 and a T3SS mutant S. fredii RCB26 formed nitrogen-fixing nodules on pigeon pea. Inoculation of pigeon pea roots with B. diazoefficiens USDA110 and B. diazoefficiens Δ136 (a T3SS mutant) resulted in the formation of Fix- and Fix+ nodules, respectively. Light and transmission electron microscopy of Fix- nodules initiated by B. diazoefficiens USDA110 revealed the complete absence of rhizobia within these nodules. In contrast, Fix+ nodules formed by B. diazoefficiens Δ136 revealed a central region that was completely filled with rhizobia. Ultrastructural investigation revealed the presence of numerous bacteroids surrounded by peribacteroid membranes in the infected cells. Analysis of nodule proteins by one- and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis revealed that leghemoglobin was absent in B. diazoefficiens USDA110 nodules, while it was abundantly present in B. diazoefficiens Δ136 nodules. Results of competitive nodulation assays indicated that B. diazoefficiens Δ136 had greater competitiveness for nodulation on pigeon pea than did the wild type strain. Our results suggest that this T3SS mutant of B. diazoefficiens, due to its greater competitiveness and ability to form Fix+ nodules, could be exploited as a potential inoculant to boost pigeon pea productivity.

Wound-induced polypeptides improve resistance against Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 in Arabidopsis

Wound-induced polypeptides (WIPs) are a novel class of polypeptides with the length less than 100 amino acids. Our previous research has identified a number of WIP genes in soybean (Glycine max) root nodules. However, functions of WIPs in planta remains largely unknown. Here, we identified five WIP-encoding genes, AtWIP1-5, in Arabidopsis. Among them, AtWIP1 and -2 are ubiquitously expressed in a partially overlapping pattern as revealed by both qRT-PCR and promoter:GUS assays. Subcellular localization analyses reveal that both AtWIP1 and -2 are localized at the plasma membrane while AtWIP1 shows a punctate distribution pattern. AtWIP1, -2 are transcriptionally induced by flg22 treatment, but repressed by effector(s) of Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 (Pst DC3000). Heterologous overexpression of GmWIP genes enhances resistance of Arabidopsis to Pst DC3000 at the cost of growth inhibition. Moreover, overexpression of GmWIP genes promotes pattern-triggered immunity (PTI) evidenced by increased expressions of flg22-inducible genes and enhanced seedling growth inhibition under flg22 treatment. Taken together, our results indicate that WIPs positively regulate plant resistance against Pst DC3000 by enhancing PTI responses.

Variation in bradyrhizobial NopP effector determines symbiotic incompatibility with Rj2-soybeans via effector-triggered immunity

Genotype-specific incompatibility in legume-rhizobium symbiosis has been suggested to be controlled by effector-triggered immunity underlying pathogenic host-bacteria interactions. However, the rhizobial determinant interacting with the host resistance protein (e.g., Rj2) and the molecular mechanism of symbiotic incompatibility remain unclear. Using natural mutants of Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens USDA 122, we identified a type III-secretory protein NopP as the determinant of symbiotic incompatibility with Rj2-soybean. The analysis of nopP mutations and variants in a culture collection reveal that three amino acid residues (R60, R67, and H173) in NopP are required for Rj2-mediated incompatibility. Complementation of rj2-soybean by the Rj2 allele confers the incompatibility induced by USDA 122-type NopP. In response to incompatible strains, Rj2-soybean plants activate defense marker gene PR-2 and suppress infection thread number at 2 days after inoculation. These results suggest that Rj2-soybeans monitor the specific variants of NopP and reject bradyrhizobial infection via effector-triggered immunity mediated by Rj2 protein.

Systematic Functional Analysis of Sigma (σ) Factors in the Phytopathogen Xanthomonas campestris Reveals Novel Roles in the Regulation of Virulence and Viability

The black rot pathogen Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (Xcc) is a model organism for the study of plant bacterial pathogenesis mechanisms. In bacteria, σ factors serve as important regulatory elements that respond to various environmental signals and cues. Though Xcc encodes 15 putative σ factors little is known about their roles. As an approach to identify the potential role of each σ factor, we constructed mutations in each of the σ-factor genes as well as generating mutants deficient in multiple σ factors to assess these regulators potential additive functions. The work identified two σ⁷⁰ factors essential for growth. Furthermore, the work discovered a third σ⁷⁰ factor, RpoE1, important for virulence. Further studies revealed that RpoE1 positively regulates the expression of the hrp gene cluster that encodes the type III secretion system (T3SS) which determines the pathogenicity and hypersensitive response of Xcc on plants. In vivo and in vitro studies demonstrated that RpoE1 could bind to the promoter region and promote transcription of hrpX, a gene encoding a key regulator of the hrp genes. Overall, this systematic analysis reveals important roles in Xcc survival and virulence for previously uncharacterized σ⁷⁰ factors that may become important targets for disease control.

Recent advances in the understanding of Xanthomonas citri ssp. citri pathogenesis and citrus canker disease management

Taxonomic status: Bacteria; Phylum Proteobacteria; Class Gammaproteobacteria; Order Xanthomonadales; Family Xanthomonadaceae; Genus Xanthomonas; Species Xanthomonas citri ssp. citri (Xcc). Host range: Compatible hosts vary in their susceptibility to citrus canker (CC), with grapefruit, lime and lemon being the most susceptible, sweet orange being moderately susceptible, and kumquat and calamondin being amongst the least susceptible. Microbiological properties: Xcc is a rod-shaped (1.5-2.0 × 0.5-0.75 µm), Gram-negative, aerobic bacterium with a single polar flagellum. The bacterium forms yellow colonies on culture media as a result of the production of xanthomonadin. Distribution: Present in South America, the British Virgin Islands, Africa, the Middle East, India, Asia and the South Pacific islands. Localized incidence in the USA, Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Uruguay, Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Tanzania, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Bangladesh. Widespread throughout Paraguay, Comoros, China, Japan, Malaysia and Vietnam. Eradicated from South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Absent from Europe.

A dual role for proline iminopeptidase in the regulation of bacterial motility and host immunity

During plant-pathogen interactions, pathogenic bacteria have evolved multiple strategies to cope with the sophisticated defence systems of host plants. Proline iminopeptidase (PIP) is essential to Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (Xcc) virulence, and is conserved in many plant-associated bacteria, but its pathogenic mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we found that disruption of pip in Xcc enhanced its flagella-mediated bacterial motility by decreasing intracellular bis-(3',5')-cyclic dimeric guanosine monophosphate (c-di-GMP) levels, whereas overexpression of pip in Xcc restricted its bacterial motility by elevating c-di-GMP levels. We also found that PIP is a type III secretion system-dependent effector capable of eliciting a hypersensitive response in non-host, but not host plants. When we transformed pip into the host plant Arabidopsis, higher bacterial titres were observed in pip-overexpressing plants relative to wild-type plants after Xcc inoculation. The repressive function of PIP on plant immunity was dependent on PIP's enzymatic activity and acted through interference with the salicylic acid (SA) biosynthetic and regulatory genes. Thus, PIP simultaneously regulates two distinct regulatory networks during plant-microbe interactions, i.e. it affects intracellular c-di-GMP levels to coordinate bacterial behaviour, such as motility, and functions as a type III effector translocated into plant cells to suppress plant immunity. Both processes provide bacteria with the regulatory potential to rapidly adapt to complex environments, to utilize limited resources for growth and survival in a cost-efficient manner and to improve the chances of bacterial survival by helping pathogens to inhabit the internal tissues of host plants.

The Type III Secretion Chaperone HpaB Controls the Translocation of Effector and Noneffector Proteins From Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria

Pathogenicity of the gram-negative bacterium Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria depends on a type III secretion (T3S) system, which translocates effector proteins into plant cells. Effector proteins contain N-terminal T3S and translocation signals and interact with the T3S chaperone HpaB, which presumably escorts effectors to the secretion apparatus. The molecular mechanisms underlying the recognition of effectors by the T3S system are not yet understood. In the present study, we analyzed T3S and translocation signals in the type III effectors XopE2 and XopJ from X. campestris pv. vesicatoria. Both effectors contain minimal translocation signals, which are only recognized in the absence of HpaB. Additional N-terminal signals promote translocation of XopE2 and XopJ in the wild-type strain. The results of translocation and interaction studies revealed that the interaction of XopE2 and XopJ with HpaB and a predicted cytoplasmic substrate docking site of the T3S system is not sufficient for translocation. In agreement with this finding, we show that the presence of an artificial HpaB-binding site does not promote translocation of the noneffector XopA in the wild-type strain. Our data, therefore, suggest that the T3S chaperone HpaB not only acts as an escort protein but also controls the recognition of translocation signals.

A Career on Both Sides of the Atlantic: Memoirs of a Molecular Plant Pathologist

This article recounts the experiences that shaped my career as a molecular plant pathologist. It focuses primarily on technical and conceptual developments in molecular phytobacteriology, shares some personal highlights and untold stories that impacted my professional development, and describes the early years of agricultural biotechnology. Writing this article required reflection on events occurring over several decades that were punctuated by a mid-career relocation across the Atlantic. I hope it will still be useful, informative, and enjoyable to read. An extended version of the abstract is provided in the Supplemental Materials , available online.

Identification of a novel type III secretion-associated outer membrane-bound protein from Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris

Many bacterial pathogens employ the type III secretion system (T3SS) to translocate effector proteins into eukaryotic cells to overcome host defenses. To date, most of our knowledge about the T3SS molecular architecture comes from the studies on animal pathogens. In plant pathogens, nine Hrc proteins are believed to be structural components of the T3SS, of which HrcC and HrcJ form the outer and inner rings of the T3SS, respectively. Here, we demonstrated that a novel outer membrane-bound protein (HpaM) of Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris is critical for the type III secretion and is structurally and functionally conserved in phytopathogenic Xanthomonas spp. We showed that the C-terminus of HpaM extends into the periplasm to interact physically with HrcJ and the middle part of HpaM interacts physically with HrcC. It is clear that the outer and inner rings compose the main basal body of the T3SS apparatus in animal pathogens. Therefore, we presume that HpaM may act as a T3SS structural component, or play a role in assisting assembling or affecting the stability of the T3SS apparatus. HpaM is a highly prevalent and specific protein in Xanthomonas spp., suggesting that the T3SS of Xanthomonas is distinctive in some aspects from other pathogens.

Molecular functions of Xanthomonas type III effector AvrBsT and its plant interactors in cell death and defense signaling

Xanthomonas effector AvrBsT interacts with plant defense proteins and triggers cell death and defense response. This review highlights our current understanding of the molecular functions of AvrBsT and its host interactor proteins. The AvrBsT protein is a member of a growing family of effector proteins in both plant and animal pathogens. Xanthomonas type III effector AvrBsT, a member of the YopJ/AvrRxv family, suppresses plant defense responses in susceptible hosts, but triggers cell death signaling leading to hypersensitive response (HR) and defense responses in resistant plants. AvrBsT interacts with host defense-related proteins to trigger the HR cell death and defense responses in plants. Here, we review and discuss recent progress in understanding the molecular functions of AvrBsT and its host interactor proteins in pepper (Capsicum annuum). Pepper arginine decarboxylase1 (CaADC1), pepper aldehyde dehydrogenase1 (CaALDH1), pepper heat shock protein 70a (CaHSP70a), pepper suppressor of the G2 allele of skp1 (CaSGT1), pepper SNF1-related kinase1 (SnRK1), and Arabidopsis acetylated interacting protein1 (ACIP1) have been identified as AvrBsT interactors in pepper and Arabidopsis. Gene expression profiling, virus-induced gene silencing, and transient transgenic overexpression approaches have advanced the functional characterization of AvrBsT-interacting proteins in plants. AvrBsT is localized in the cytoplasm and forms protein-protein complexes with host interactors. All identified AvrBsT interactors regulate HR cell death and defense responses in plants. Notably, CaSGT1 physically binds to both AvrBsT and pepper receptor-like cytoplasmic kinase1 (CaPIK1) in the cytoplasm. During infection with Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria strain Ds1 (avrBsT), AvrBsT is phosphorylated by CaPIK1 and forms the active AvrBsT-CaSGT1-CaPIK1 complex, which ultimately triggers HR cell death and defense responses. Collectively, the AvrBsT interactor proteins are involved in plant cell death and immunity signaling.

Transcriptome-Based Identification of Differently Expressed Genes from Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae Strains Exhibiting Different Virulence in Rice Varieties

Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) causes bacterial blight (BB) in rice (Oryza sativa L.). In this study, we investigated the genome-wide transcription patterns of two Xoo strains (KACC10331 and HB1009), which showed different virulence patterns against eight rice cultivars, including IRBB21 (carrying Xa21). In total, 743 genes showed a significant change (p-value < 0.001 in t-tests) in their mRNA expression levels in the HB1009 (K3a race) strain compared with the Xoo KACC10331 strain (K1 race). Among them, four remarkably enriched GO terms, DNA binding, transposition, cellular nitrogen compound metabolic process, and cellular macromolecule metabolic process, were identified in the upregulated genes. In addition, the expression of 44 genes was considerably higher (log2 fold changes > 2) in the HB1009 (K3a race) strain than in the Xoo KACC10331 (K1 race) strain. Furthermore, 13 and 12 genes involved in hypersensitive response and pathogenicity (hrp) and two-component regulatory systems (TCSs), respectively, were upregulated in the HB1009 (K3a race) strain compared with the Xoo KACC10331 (K1 race) strain, which we determined using either quantitative real-time PCR analysis or next-generation RNA sequencing. These results will be helpful to improve our understanding of Xoo and to gain a better insight into the Xoo–rice interactions.

A Population Biology Perspective on the Stepwise Infection Process of the Bacterial Pathogen Pasteuria ramosa in Daphnia

The infection process of many diseases can be divided into series of steps, each one required to successfully complete the parasite's life and transmission cycle. This approach often reveals that the complex phenomenon of infection is composed of a series of more simple mechanisms. Here we demonstrate that a population biology approach, which takes into consideration the natural genetic and environmental variation at each step, can greatly aid our understanding of the evolutionary processes shaping disease traits. We focus in this review on the biology of the bacterial parasite Pasteuria ramosa and its aquatic crustacean host Daphnia, a model system for the evolutionary ecology of infectious disease. Our analysis reveals tremendous differences in the degree to which the environment, host genetics, parasite genetics and their interactions contribute to the expression of disease traits at each of seven different steps. This allows us to predict which steps may respond most readily to selection and which steps are evolutionarily constrained by an absence of variation. We show that the ability of Pasteuria to attach to the host's cuticle (attachment step) stands out as being strongly influenced by the interaction of host and parasite genotypes, but not by environmental factors, making it the prime candidate for coevolutionary interactions. Furthermore, the stepwise approach helps us understanding the evolution of resistance, virulence and host ranges. The population biological approach introduced here is a versatile tool that can be easily transferred to other systems of infectious disease.

NopC Is a Rhizobium-Specific Type 3 Secretion System Effector Secreted by Sinorhizobium (Ensifer) fredii HH103

Sinorhizobium (Ensifer) fredii HH103 is a broad host-range nitrogen-fixing bacterium able to nodulate many legumes, including soybean. In several rhizobia, root nodulation is influenced by proteins secreted through the type 3 secretion system (T3SS). This specialized secretion apparatus is a common virulence mechanism of many plant and animal pathogenic bacteria that delivers proteins, called effectors, directly into the eukaryotic host cells where they interfere with signal transduction pathways and promote infection by suppressing host defenses. In rhizobia, secreted proteins, called nodulation outer proteins (Nops), are involved in host-range determination and symbiotic efficiency. S. fredii HH103 secretes at least eight Nops through the T3SS. Interestingly, there are Rhizobium-specific Nops, such as NopC, which do not have homologues in pathogenic bacteria. In this work we studied the S. fredii HH103 nopC gene and confirmed that its expression was regulated in a flavonoid-, NodD1- and TtsI-dependent manner. Besides, in vivo bioluminescent studies indicated that the S. fredii HH103 T3SS was expressed in young soybean nodules and adenylate cyclase assays confirmed that NopC was delivered directly into soybean root cells by means of the T3SS machinery. Finally, nodulation assays showed that NopC exerted a positive effect on symbiosis with Glycine max cv. Williams 82 and Vigna unguiculata. All these results indicate that NopC can be considered a Rhizobium-specific effector secreted by S. fredii HH103.

Key steps in type III secretion system (T3SS) towards translocon assembly with potential sensor at plant plasma membrane

Many plant- and animal-pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria employ the type III secretion system (T3SS) to translocate effector proteins from bacterial cells into the cytosol of eukaryotic host cells. The effector translocation occurs through an integral component of T3SS, the channel-like translocon, assembled by hydrophilic and hydrophobic proteinaceous translocators in a two-step process. In the first, hydrophilic translocators localize to the tip of a proteinaceous needle in animal pathogens, or a proteinaceous pilus in plant pathogens, and associate with hydrophobic translocators, which insert into host plasma membranes in the second step. However, the pilus needs to penetrate plant cell walls in advance. All hydrophilic translocators so far identified in plant pathogens are characteristic of harpins: T3SS accessory proteins containing a unitary hydrophilic domain or an additional enzymatic domain. Two-domain harpins carrying a pectate lyase domain potentially target plant cell walls and facilitate the penetration of the pectin-rich middle lamella by the bacterial pilus. One-domain harpins target plant plasma membranes and may play a crucial role in translocon assembly, which may also involve contrapuntal associations of hydrophobic translocators. In all cases, sensory components in the target plasma membrane are indispensable for the membrane recognition of translocators and the functionality of the translocon. The conjectural sensors point to membrane lipids and proteins, and a phosphatidic acid and an aquaporin are able to interact with selected harpin-type translocators. Interactions between translocators and their sensors at the target plasma membrane are assumed to be critical for translocon assembly.

Electroporation of functional bacterial effectors into mammalian cells

The study of protein interactions in the context of living cells can generate critical information about localization, dynamics, and interacting partners. This information is particularly valuable in the context of host-pathogen interactions. Many pathogen proteins function within host cells in a variety of way such as, enabling evasion of the host immune system and survival within the intracellular environment. To study these pathogen-protein host-cell interactions, several approaches are commonly used, including: in vivo infection with a strain expressing a tagged or mutant protein, or introduction of pathogen genes via transfection or transduction. Each of these approaches has advantages and disadvantages. We sought a means to directly introduce exogenous proteins into cells. Electroporation is commonly used to introduce nucleic acids into cells, but has been more rarely applied to proteins although the biophysical basis is exactly the same. A standard electroporator was used to introduce affinity-tagged bacterial effectors into mammalian cells. Human epithelial and mouse macrophage cells were cultured by traditional methods, detached, and placed in 0.4 cm gap electroporation cuvettes with an exogenous bacterial pathogen protein of interest (e.g. Salmonella Typhimurium GtgE). After electroporation (0.3 kV) and a short (4 hr) recovery period, intracellular protein was verified by fluorescently labeling the protein via its affinity tag and examining spatial and temporal distribution by confocal microscopy. The electroporated protein was also shown to be functional inside the cell and capable of correct subcellular trafficking and protein-protein interaction. While the exogenous proteins tended to accumulate on the surface of the cells, the electroporated samples had large increases in intracellular effector concentration relative to incubation alone. The protocol is simple and fast enough to be done in a parallel fashion, allowing for high-throughput characterization of pathogen proteins in host cells including subcellular targeting and function of virulence proteins.

Hpa1 harpin needs nitroxyl terminus to promote vegetative growth and leaf photosynthesis in Arabidopsis

Hpa1 is a harpin protein produced by Xanthomonas oryzae, an important bacterial pathogen of rice, and has the growth-promoting activity in plants. To understand the molecular basis for the function of Hpa1, we generated an inactive variant protein, Hpa1 delta NT, by deleting the nitroxyl-terminal region of the Hpa1 sequence and compared Hpa1 delta NT with the full-length protein in terms of the effects on vegetative growth and related physiological responses in Arabidopsis. When Hpa1 was applied to plants, it acted to enhance the vegetative growth but did not affect the floral development. Enhanced plant growth was accompanied by induced expression of growth-promoting genes in plant leaves. The growth-promoting activity of Hpa1 was further correlated with a physiological consequence shown as promoted leaf photosynthesis as a result of facilitated CO2 conduction through leaf stomata and mesophyll cells. On the contrary, plant growth, growth-promoting gene expression, and the physiological consequence changed little in response to the Hpa1 delta NT treatment. These analyses suggest that Hpa1 requires the nitroxyl-terminus to facilitate CO2 transport inside leaf cells and promote leaf photosynthesis and vegetative growth of the plant.

A nopA deletion mutant of Sinorhizobium fredii USDA257, a soybean symbiont, is impaired in nodulation

Sinorhizobium fredii USDA257 employs type III secretion system (T3SS) to deliver effector proteins into the host cells through pili. The nopA protein is the major component of USDA257 pili. The promoter region of USDA257 nopA possesses a well conserved tts box. Serial deletion analysis revealed that the tts box is absolutely essential for flavonoid induction of nopA. Deletion of nopA drastically lowered the number of nodules formed by USDA257 on cowpea and soybean cultivar Peking. In contrast to the parental strain, the USDA257 nopA mutant was able to form few nodules on soybean cultivars McCall and Williams 82. Light and transmission electron microscopy examination of these nodules revealed numerous starch grains both in the infected and uninfected cells.

Phosphatidylcholine synthesis is essential for HrpZ harpin secretion in plant pathogenic Pseudomonas syringae and non-pathogenic Pseudomonas sp. 593

Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae van Hall is important phytopathogenic bacterium of stone fruit trees, and able to elicit hypersensitive response (HR) in nonhost plants. The HrpZ, secreted via type III secretion system (T3SS) to the extracellular space of the plant, is a T3SS-dependent protein and a sole T3SS effector able to induce the host defense response outside host cells. We deleted the phosphatidylcholine synthase gene (pcs) of P. syringae pv. syringae van Hall CFCC 1336, and found that the 1336 pcs(-) mutant was unable to synthesize phosphatidylcholine and elicit a typical HR in soybean. Further studies showed that the 1336 pcs(-) mutant was unable to secrete HrpZ harpin but could express HrpZ protein in cytoplasm as effectively as the wild type. To confirm if phosphatidylcholine affects HrpZ harpin secretion, we introduced the hrpZ gene into the soil-dwelling bacterium Pseudomonas sp. 593 and the 593 pcs(-) mutant, which were unable to express HrpZ harpin and elicit HR in tobacco or soybean. Western blotting and HR assay showed that the 593H not only secreted HrpZ harpin but also caused a strong HR in tobacco and soybean. In contrast, the 593 pcs(-)H only expressed HrpZ protein in its cytoplasm at the wild type level, but did not secrete HrpZ harpin or elicit HR reaction. Our results demonstrate that phosphatidylcholine is essential for the secretion of HrpZ harpin in P. syringae pv. syringae van Hall and other Pseudomonas strains.

HrpE3 is a type III effector protein required for full virulence of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzicola in rice

Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzicola (Xoc) is the causal agent of bacterial leaf streak, a devastating disease in rice. Xoc uses a type III secretion (T3S) system, which is encoded by the hrp-hrc-hpa (hypersensitive response and pathogenicity, hrp-conserved and hrp-associated) genes, to inject repertoires of T3S effectors (T3Es) into plant cells. Many of the hrp-hrc-hpa genes have roles in pathogenesis, but the role of hrpE3, which shows homology to hpaE in X. campestris pv. vesicatoria (Xcv), is poorly understood. In this study, hrpE3 was shown to be transcribed independent of the hrpD operon, and its expression was dependent on a promoter within hpaB. The expression of hrpE3 was positively regulated by HrpG and HrpX, a finding probably caused by an imperfect plant-inducible promoter (PIP) box (TTCGT-N16 -TTCGA) in the hrpE3 promoter. The secretion of HrpE3 was dependent on T3S, and subcellular localization of HrpE3 was cytoplasmic and nuclear in plant cells. A mutation in hrpE3 reduced the virulence of Xoc by decreasing disease lesion length and bacterial growth in planta. Full virulence was restored to the mutant when Xoc hrpE3, but not Xcv hpaE, was expressed in trans. The differences in transcription, secretion via the T3S system and bacterial virulence in plants were attributed to N-terminal amino acid differences between Xoc HrpE3 and Xcv HpaE. Collectively, the results demonstrate that hrpE3 encodes a T3E protein which is delivered into the plant cell through the T3S system, localizes to the cytoplasm and nucleus, and is required for full virulence in rice.

Phylogenetic analysis of a gene cluster encoding an additional, rhizobial-like type III secretion system that is narrowly distributed among Pseudomonas syringae strains

Background

The central role of Type III secretion systems (T3SS) in bacteria-plant interactions is well established, yet unexpected findings are being uncovered through bacterial genome sequencing. Some Pseudomonas syringae strains possess an uncharacterized cluster of genes encoding putative components of a second T3SS (T3SS-2) in addition to the well characterized Hrc1 T3SS which is associated with disease lesions in host plants and with the triggering of hypersensitive response in non-host plants. The aim of this study is to perform an in silico analysis of T3SS-2, and to compare it with other known T3SSs.

Results

Based on phylogenetic analysis and gene organization comparisons, the T3SS-2 cluster of the P. syringae pv. phaseolicola strain is grouped with a second T3SS found in the pNGR234b plasmid of Rhizobium sp. These additional T3SS gene clusters define a subgroup within the Rhizobium T3SS family. Although, T3SS-2 is not distributed as widely as the Hrc1 T3SS in P. syringae strains, it was found to be constitutively expressed in P. syringae pv phaseolicola through RT-PCR experiments.

Conclusions

The relatedness of the P. syringae T3SS-2 to a second T3SS from the pNGR234b plasmid of Rhizobium sp., member of subgroup II of the rhizobial T3SS family, indicates common ancestry and/or possible horizontal transfer events between these species. Functional analysis and genome sequencing of more rhizobia and P. syringae pathovars may shed light into why these bacteria maintain a second T3SS gene cluster in their genome.

Expression of the human NAD(P)-metabolizing ectoenzyme CD38 compromises systemic acquired resistance in Arabidopsis

Plant systemic acquired resistance (SAR) is a long-lasting, broad-spectrum immune response that is mounted after primary pathogen infection. Although SAR has been extensively researched, the molecular mechanisms underlying its activation have not been completely understood. We have previously shown that the electron carrier NAD(P) leaks into the plant extracellular compartment upon pathogen attack and that exogenous NAD(P) activates defense gene expression and disease resistance in local treated leaves, suggesting that extracellular NAD(P) [eNAD(P)] might function as a signal molecule activating plant immune responses. To further establish the function of eNAD(P) in plant immunity, we tested the effect of exogenous NAD(P) on resistance gene-mediated hypersensitive response (HR) and SAR. We found that exogenous NAD(P) completely suppresses HR-mediated cell death but does not affect HR-mediated disease resistance. Local application of exogenous NAD(P) is unable to induce SAR in distal tissues, indicating that eNAD(P) is not a sufficient signal for SAR activation. Using transgenic Arabidopsis plants expressing the human NAD(P)-metabolizing ectoenzyme CD38, we demonstrated that altering eNAD(P) concentration or signaling compromises biological induction of SAR. This result suggests that eNAD(P) may play a critical signaling role in activation of SAR.

A novel regulatory role of HrpD6 in regulating hrp-hrc-hpa genes in Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzicola

Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzicola, the causal agent of bacterial leaf streak in the model plant rice, possesses a hypersensitive response and pathogenicity (hrp), hrp-conserved (hrc), hrp-associated (hpa) cluster (hrp-hrc-hpa) that encodes a type III secretion system (T3SS) through which T3SS effectors are injected into host cells to cause disease or trigger plant defenses. Mutations in this cluster usually abolish the bacterial ability to cause hypersensitive response in nonhost tobacco and pathogenicity in host rice. In Xanthomonas spp., these genes are generally assumed to be regulated by the key master regulators HrpG and HrpX. However, we present evidence that, apart from HrpG and HrpX, HrpD6 is also involved in regulating the expression of hrp genes. Interestingly, the expression of hpa2, hpa1, hpaB, hrcC, and hrcT is positively controlled by HrpD6. Transcriptional expression assays demonstrated that the expression of the hrcC, hrpD5, hrpE, and hpa3 genes was not completely abolished by hrpG and hrpX mutations. As observed in analysis of their corresponding mutants, HrpG and HrpX exhibit contrasting gene regulation, particularly for hpa2 and hrcT. Other two-component system regulators (Zur, LrpX, ColR/S, and Trh) did not completely inhibit the expression of hrcC, hrpD5, hrpE, and hpa3. Immunoblotting assays showed that the secretion of HrpF, which is an HpaB-independent translocator, is not affected by the mutation in hrpD6. However, the mutation in hrpD6 affects the secretion of an HpaB-dependent TAL effector, AvrXa27. These novel findings suggest that, apart from HrpG and HrpX, HrpD6 plays important roles not only in the regulation of hrp genes but also in the secretion of TAL effectors.

Regulatory mechanisms of exoribonuclease PNPase and regulatory small RNA on T3SS of Dickeya dadantii

The type III secretion system (T3SS) is an essential virulence factor for many bacterial pathogens. Polynucleotide phosphorylase (PNPase) is one of the major exoribonucleases in bacteria and plays important roles in mRNA degradation, tRNA processing, and small RNA (sRNA) turnover. In this study, we showed that PNPase downregulates the transcription of T3SS structural and effector genes of the phytopathogenic bacterium Dickeya dadantii. This negative regulation of T3SS by PNPase occurs by repressing the expression of hrpL, encoding a master regulator of T3SS in D. dadantii. By reducing rpoN mRNA stability, PNPase downregulates the transcription of hrpL, which leads to a reduction in T3SS gene expression. Moreover, we have found that PNPase downregulates T3SS by decreasing hrpL mRNA stability. RsmB, a regulatory sRNA, enhances hrpL mRNA stability in D. dadantii. Our results suggest that PNPase decreases the amount of functional RsmB transcripts that could result in reduction of hrpL mRNA stability. In addition, bistable gene expression (differential expression of a single gene that creates two distinct subpopulations) of hrpA, hrpN, and dspE was observed in D. dadantii under in vitro conditions. Although PNPase regulates the proportion of cells in the high state and the low state of T3SS gene expression, it appears that PNPase is not the key switch that triggers the bistable expression patterns of T3SS genes.

The Zur of Xanthomonas campestris is involved in hypersensitive response and positively regulates the expression of the hrp cluster via hrpX but not hrpG

In bacteria, Zur is a key regulator for zinc homeostasis. Our previous work has shown that, in the phytopathogen Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris, in addition to regulating zinc homeostasis, Zur is essential for full virulence. Here, we demonstrate that the X. campestris pv. campestris Zur is involved in hypersensitive response (HR) and positively regulates the transcription of hrpA to hrpF operons and hrpX but not hrpG. Constitutively expressing hrpX but not hrpG in the zur mutant could bypass the requirement of Zur for the expression of hrpA to hrpF operons and the induction of wild-type HR, indicating that Zur controls the expression of hrp cluster via hrpX. Promoter-gusA reporter and semiquantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction analyses revealed that HrpG controls the expression of hrpX and HrpX regulates the expression of all the six hrp operons (hrpA to hrpF) in X. campestris pv. campestris.

Rhizosphere Bacterial Signalling: A Love Parade Beneath Our Feet

Plant roots support the growth and activities of a wide variety of microorganisms that may have a profound effect on the growth and/or health of plants. Among these microorganisms, a high diversity of bacteria have been identified and categorized as deleterious, beneficial, or neutral with respect to the plant. The beneficial bacteria, termed plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), are widely studied by microbiologists and agronomists because of their potential in plant production. Azospirillum, a genus of versatile PGPR, is able to enhance the plant growth and yield of a wide range of economically important crops in different soils and climatic regions. Plant beneficial effects of Azospirillum have mainly been attributed to the production of phytohormones, nitrate reduction, and nitrogen fixation, which have been subject of extensive research throughout the years. These elaborate studies made Azospirillum one of the best-characterized genera of PGPR. However, the genetic and molecular determinants involved in the initial interaction between Azospirillum and plant roots are not yet fully understood. This review will mainly highlight the current knowledge on Azospirillum plant root interactions, in the context of preceding and ongoing research on the association between plants and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria.

HpaC controls substrate specificity of the Xanthomonas type III secretion system

The Gram-negative bacterial plant pathogen Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria employs a type III secretion (T3S) system to inject bacterial effector proteins into the host cell cytoplasm. One essential pathogenicity factor is HrpB2, which is secreted by the T3S system. We show that secretion of HrpB2 is suppressed by HpaC, which was previously identified as a T3S control protein. Since HpaC promotes secretion of translocon and effector proteins but inhibits secretion of HrpB2, HpaC presumably acts as a T3S substrate specificity switch protein. Protein–protein interaction studies revealed that HpaC interacts with HrpB2 and the C-terminal domain of HrcU, a conserved inner membrane component of the T3S system. However, no interaction was observed between HpaC and the full-length HrcU protein. Analysis of HpaC deletion derivatives revealed that the binding site for the C-terminal domain of HrcU is essential for HpaC function. This suggests that HpaC binding to the HrcU C terminus is key for the control of T3S. The C terminus of HrcU also provides a binding site for HrpB2; however, no interaction was observed with other T3S substrates including pilus, translocon and effector proteins. This is in contrast to HrcU homologs from animal pathogenic bacteria suggesting evolution of distinct mechanisms in plant and animal pathogenic bacteria for T3S substrate recognition.

The Gram-negative plant pathogenic bacterium Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria is the causal agent of bacterial spot disease in pepper and tomato. Pathogenicity of X. campestris pv. vesicatoria depends on a type III protein secretion (T3S) system that injects bacterial effector proteins directly into the host cell cytosol. The T3S system is a highly complex nanomachine that spans both bacterial membranes and is associated with an extracellular pilus and a translocon that inserts into the host cell membrane. Given the architecture of the secretion apparatus, it is conceivable that pilus formation precedes effector protein secretion. The pilus presumably consists of two components, i.e., the major pilus subunit HrpE and HrpB2, which is required for pilus assembly. Secretion of HrpB2 is suppressed by HpaC that switches substrate specificity of the T3S system from secretion of HrpB2 to secretion of translocon and effector proteins. The substrate specificity switch depends on the cytoplasmic domain of HrcU, which is a conserved inner membrane protein of the T3S apparatus that interacts with HrpB2 and HpaC.

Overexpression of Arabidopsis MAP kinase kinase 7 leads to activation of plant basal and systemic acquired resistance

There is a growing body of evidence indicating that mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades are involved in plant defense responses. Analysis of the completed Arabidopsis thaliana genome sequence has revealed the existence of 20 MAPKs, 10 MAPKKs and 60 MAPKKKs, implying a high level of complexity in MAPK signaling pathways, and making the assignment of gene functions difficult. The MAP kinase kinase 7 (MKK7) gene of Arabidopsis has previously been shown to negatively regulate polar auxin transport. Here we provide evidence that MKK7 positively regulates plant basal and systemic acquired resistance (SAR). The activation-tagged bud1 mutant, in which the expression of MKK7 is increased, accumulates elevated levels of salicylic acid (SA), exhibits constitutive pathogenesis-related (PR) gene expression, and displays enhanced resistance to both Pseudomonas syringae pv. maculicola (Psm) ES4326 and Hyaloperonospora parasitica Noco2. Both PR gene expression and disease resistance of the bud1 plants depend on SA, and partially depend on NPR1. We demonstrate that the constitutive defense response in bud1 plants is a result of the increased expression of MKK7, and requires the kinase activity of the MKK7 protein. We found that expression of the MKK7 gene in wild-type plants is induced by pathogen infection. Reducing mRNA levels of MKK7 by antisense RNA expression not only compromises basal resistance, but also blocks the induction of SAR. Intriguingly, ectopic expression of MKK7 in local tissues induces PR gene expression and resistance to Psm ES4326 in systemic tissues, indicating that activation of MKK7 is sufficient for generating the mobile signal of SAR.

Characterization of the nonconserved hpaB-hrpF region in the hrp pathogenicity island from Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria

The interaction of the gram-negative phytopathogenic bacterium Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria with its host plants pepper and tomato is mediated by a type III secretion (T3S) system that translocates bacterial effector proteins into the plant cell. The T3S system is encoded by the chromosomal hrp (hypersensitive response and pathogenicity) gene cluster. Here, we report on the analysis of the hpaB-hrpF region, which encodes the novel virulence factor HpaE, the effector protein XopF1, and two proteins with unknown functions, HpaD and HpaI. Promoter and transcript analyses revealed that the corresponding genes are coexpressed with the hrp genes and that hpaD, hpaI, and xopF1 form a novel operon. In vitro and in vivo assays showed that the efficient T3S and translocation of XopF1 depends on the global T3S chaperone HpaB and the putative lytic transglycosylase HpaH, which specifically contributes to the secretion of a certain set of effectors. Taken together, our data suggest that the efficient secretion of effector proteins in X. campestris pv. vesicatoria requires the contribution of several different Hpa proteins.

The plant immune system

Many plant-associated microbes are pathogens that impair plant growth and reproduction. Plants respond to infection using a two-branched innate immune system. The first branch recognizes and responds to molecules common to many classes of microbes, including non-pathogens. The second responds to pathogen virulence factors, either directly or through their effects on host targets. These plant immune systems, and the pathogen molecules to which they respond, provide extraordinary insights into molecular recognition, cell biology and evolution across biological kingdoms. A detailed understanding of plant immune function will underpin crop improvement for food, fibre and biofuels production.

Genomic comparisons among gamma-proteobacteria

Predicted highly expressed (PHX) genes are compared for 16 gamma-proteobacteria and their similarities and differences are interpreted with respect to known or predicted physiological characteristics of the organisms. Predicted highly expressed genes often reflect the organism's predominant lifestyle, habitat, nutrition sources and metabolic propensities. This technique allows to predict principal metabolic activities of the microorganisms operating in their natural habitats. Among our findings is an unusually high number of PHX enzymes acting in cell wall biosynthesis, amino acid biosynthesis and replication in the ant endosymbiont Blochmannia floridanus. We ascribe the abundance of these PHX genes to specific aspects of the relationship between the bacterium and its host. Xanthomonas campestris is unique with a very high number of PHX genes acting in flagellum biosynthesis, which may play a special role during its pathogenicity. Shewanella oneidensis possesses three protein complexes which all can function as complex I in the respiratory chain but only the Na(+)-transporting NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase nqr-2 operon is PHX. The PHX genes of Vibrio parahaemolyticus are consistent with the microorganism's adaptation to extremely fast growth rates. Comparative analysis of PHX genes from complex environmental genomic sequences as well as from uncultured pathogenic microbes can provide a novel, useful tool to predict global flux of matter and key intermediates.

ClpXP controls the expression of LEE genes in enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli

Enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) contains a 36-kb pathogenicity island termed the locus of enterocyte effacement (LEE), which encodes a type III secretion system (TTSS) and virulence proteins. In this paper, we show that the O157:H7 Sakai clpPX mutant strongly impaired the secretion of virulence proteins by TTSS and repressed transcription from all the LEE promoters. The rpoS mutation in O157:H7 Sakai enhanced the transcription from all the LEE promoters and the secretion of virulence proteins, and it could partially suppress the defects of the clpPX mutation. These data indicate that the O157:H7 Sakai ClpXP protease is a positive regulator for LEE expression and that this regulation occurs by two pathways: the sigma(S)-dependent and -independent pathways.

Novel attenuated Salmonella enterica serovar Choleraesuis strains as live vaccine candidates generated by signature-tagged mutagenesis

Salmonella enterica serovar Choleraesuis is a host-adapted pathogen that causes swine paratyphoid. Signature-tagged mutagenesis (STM) was used to understand the pathogenicity of S. enterica serovar Choleraesuis in its natural host and also to develop novel attenuated live vaccine candidates against this disease. A library of 960 signature-tagged mutants of S. enterica serovar Choleraesuis was constructed and screened for attenuation in pigs. Thirty-three mutants were identified by the STM screening, and these mutants were further screened for attenuation by in vivo and in vitro competitive growth. Of these, 20 mutants targeting the outer membrane, type III secretion, transporter, lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis, and other unknown proteins were confirmed for attenuation. Five highly attenuated mutants (SC2D2 [ssaV], SC4A9 [gifsy-1], SC6F9 [dgoT], SC12B12 [ssaJ], and SC10B1[spiA]) were selected and evaluated for safety and protective efficacy in pigs by comparison with a commercially available vaccine strain. STM-attenuated live vaccine strains SC4A9 (gifsy-1) and SC2D2 (ssaV) were superior to commercially available live vaccine because they provided both safety and a protective immune response against challenge in pigs.

Fitness of human enteric pathogens on plants and implications for food safety

The continuous rise in the number of outbreaks of foodborne illness linked to fresh fruit and vegetables challenges the notion that enteric pathogens are defined mostly by their ability to colonize the intestinal habitat. This review describes the epidemiology of produce-associated outbreaks of foodborne disease and presents recently acquired knowledge about the behavior of enteric pathogens on plants, with an emphasis on Salmonella enterica, Escherichia coli O157:H7, and Listeria monocytogenes. The growth and survival of enteric pathogens on plants are discussed in the light of knowledge and concepts in plant microbial ecology, including epiphytic fitness, the physicochemical nature of plant surfaces, biofilm formation, and microbe-microbe and plant-microbe interactions. Information regarding the various stresses that affect the survival of enteric pathogens and the molecular events that underlie their interactions in the plant environment provides a good foundation for assessing their role in the infectious dose of the pathogens when contaminated fresh produce is the vehicle of illness.

Targeting of two effector protein classes to the type III secretion system by a HpaC- and HpaB-dependent protein complex fromXanthomonas campestrispv.vesicatoria

The Gram-negative plant pathogenic bacterium Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria translocates effector proteins via a specialized type III secretion (TTS) system into the host cell cytosol. The efficient secretion of many effector proteins depends on the global TTS chaperone HpaB. Here, we identified a novel export control protein, HpaC, which significantly contributes to bacterial pathogenicity. Deletion of hpaC leads to a severe reduction in secretion of effector proteins and the putative type III translocon proteins HrpF and XopA. By contrast, secretion of the TTS pilus protein HrpE is not affected. We provide experimental evidence that HpaC differentiates between two classes of effector proteins. Using an in vivo reporter assay, we found that HpaC specifically promotes the translocation of the effector proteins XopJ and XopF1 into the plant cell, whereas AvrBs3 and XopC are efficiently translocated even in the absence of HpaC. Similar findings were obtained for HpaB. Inhibition of protein synthesis suggests that HpaB is involved in the secretion of stored effector proteins. Furthermore, protein-protein interaction studies revealed that HpaB and HpaC form an oligomeric protein complex and that they interact with members of both effector protein classes and the conserved TTS system component HrcV. Taken together, our data indicate that HpaB and HpaC play a central role in recruiting TTS substrates to the secretion apparatus.

ExpR, a LuxR homolog of Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora, activates transcription of rsmA, which specifies a global regulatory RNA-binding protein

N-acyl homoserine lactone (AHL) is required by Erwinia carotovora subspecies for the expression of various traits, including extracellular enzyme and protein production and pathogenicity. Previous studies with E. carotovora subsp. carotovora have shown that AHL deficiency causes the production of high levels of RsmA, an RNA binding protein that functions as a global negative regulator of extracellular enzymes and proteins and secondary metabolites (Rsm, regulator of secondary metabolites). We document here that ExpR, a putative AHL receptor belonging to the LuxR family of regulators, activates RsmA production. In the absence of AHL, an ExpR(+) E. carotovora subsp. carotovora strain compared to its ExpR(-) mutant, produces higher levels of rsmA RNA and better expresses an rsmA-lacZ transcriptional fusion. Moreover, the expression of the rsmA-lacZ fusion in Escherichia coli is much higher in the presence of expR(71) (the expR gene of E. carotovora subsp. carotovora strain Ecc71) than in its absence. We also show that purified preparation of MBP-ExpR(71) binds (MBP, maltose binding protein) rsmA DNA. By contrast, MBP-ExpR(71) does not bind ahlI (gene for AHL synthase), pel-1 (gene for pectate lyase), or rsmB (gene for regulatory RNA that binds RsmA), nor does ExpR(71) activate expression of these genes. These observations strongly suggest transcriptional activation of rsmA resulting from a direct and specific interaction between ExpR(71) and the rsmA promoter. Several lines of evidence establish that N-3-oxohexanoyl-L-homoserine lactone (3-oxo-C6-HL), the major AHL analog produced by E. carotovora subsp. carotovora strain Ecc71, inhibits ExpR(71)-mediated activation of rsmA expression. These findings for the first time establish that the expR effect in E. carotovora subsp. carotovora is channeled via RsmA, a posttranscriptional regulator of E. carotovora subspecies, and AHL neutralizes this ExpR effect.

Sinorhizobium fredii USDA257 releases a 22-kDa outer membrane protein (Omp22) to the extracellular milieu when grown in calcium-limiting conditions

Calcium, which regulates a wide variety of cellular functions, plays an important role in Rhizobium-legume interactions. We investigated the effect of calcium on surface appendages of Sinorhizobium fredii USDA257. Cold-field emission scanning electron microscopy observation of USDA257 grown in calcium-limiting conditions revealed cells with unusual shape and size. Transmission electron microscopy observation revealed intact flagella were present only when USDA257 cells were grown in calcium-sufficient conditions. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis of flagellar preparations from USDA257 cells grown in calcium-limiting conditions showed the presence of a 22-kDa protein that was absent from cells grown in calcium-sufficient conditions. We have cloned and determined the nucleotide sequence of the gene encoding the 22-kDa protein. After successful expression in Escherichia coli, polyclonal antibodies were raised against the recombinant 22-kDa protein (Omp22). Subcellular fractionation analysis demonstrated that Omp22 was predominantly present in the extracellular fraction. Western blot analysis revealed the presence of immunologically related proteins from diverse rhizobia. Immunocytochemical localization of thin sections of USDA257 cells showed specific labeling of protein A-gold particles on protein inclusions found proximal to the cells. Accumulation of Omp22 was greatly reduced when USDA257 cells were grown in the presence of increasing calcium. Northern blot analysis indicated that calcium was the only divalent cation among those tested that down-regulated omp22 expression. An omp22 mutant was able to grow in calcium-limiting conditions at a rate similar to that of wild-type USDA257. Significantly more nodules were initiated by the omp22 mutant than by the wild-type on soybean cultivar Peking grown in calcium-limiting conditions.

HpaB from Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria acts as an exit control protein in type III-dependent protein secretion

The hrp (hypersensitive response and pathogenicity) gene cluster of the plant pathogenic bacterium Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria encodes a type III secretion (TTS) system, which injects bacterial effector proteins into the plant cell. Here, we characterized hpaB (hpa, hrp-associated), which encodes a pathogenicity factor with typical features of a TTS chaperone. We show that HpaB is important for the efficient secretion of at least five effector proteins but is dispensable for the secretion of non-effectors such as XopA and the TTS translocon protein HrpF. GST pull-down assays revealed that HpaB interacts with two unrelated effector proteins, AvrBs1 and AvrBs3, but not with XopA. The HpaB-binding site is located within the first 50 amino acids of AvrBs3. This region also contains the targeting signal for HpaB-dependent secretion, which is missing in HrpF and XopA. Intriguingly, the N-termini of HrpF and XopA target the AvrBs3Delta2 reporter for translocation in a DeltahpaB mutant but not in the wild-type strain. This indicates that HpaB plays an essential role in the exit control of the TTS system. Our data suggest that HpaB promotes the secretion of a large set of effector proteins and prevents the delivery of non-effectors into the plant cell.

Detection of and response to signals involved in host-microbe interactions by plant-associated bacteria

Diverse interactions between hosts and microbes are initiated by the detection of host-released chemical signals. Detection of these signals leads to altered patterns of gene expression that culminate in specific and adaptive changes in bacterial physiology that are required for these associations. This concept was first demonstrated for the members of the family Rhizobiaceae and was later found to apply to many other plant-associated bacteria as well as to microbes that colonize human and animal hosts. The family Rhizobiaceae includes various genera of rhizobia as well as species of Agrobacterium. Rhizobia are symbionts of legumes, which fix nitrogen within root nodules, while Agrobacterium tumefaciens is a pathogen that causes crown gall tumors on a wide variety of plants. The plant-released signals that are recognized by these bacteria are low-molecular-weight, diffusible molecules and are detected by the bacteria through specific receptor proteins. Similar phenomena are observed with other plant pathogens, including Pseudomonas syringae, Ralstonia solanacearum, and Erwinia spp., although here the signals and signal receptors are not as well defined. In some cases, nutritional conditions such as iron limitation or the lack of nitrogen sources seem to provide a significant cue. While much has been learned about the process of host detection over the past 20 years, our knowledge is far from being complete. The complex nature of the plant-microbe interactions makes it extremely challenging to gain a comprehensive picture of host detection in natural environments, and thus many signals and signal recognition systems remain to be described.