Open AccessNovel Quorum-Sensing-Controlled Genes in Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora: Identification of a Fungal Elicitor Homologue in a Soft-Rotting Bacterium
Author(s) -
Clare L. Pemberton,
Neil A. Whitehead,
Mohammed Sebaihia,
Kenneth S. Bell,
L. J. Hyman,
Stephen Harris,
A. J. Matlin,
N. Robson,
Paul R. J. Birch,
John P. Carr,
Ian K. Toth,
George P. C. Salmond
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
molecular plant-microbe interactions
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.565
H-Index - 153
eISSN - 1943-7706
pISSN - 0894-0282
DOI - 10.1094/mpmi-18-0343
Subject(s) - erwinia , quorum sensing , virulence , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , gene , bacteria , elicitor , genetics
Seven new genes controlled by the quorum-sensing signal molecule N-(3-oxohexanoyl)-L-homoserine lactone (OHHL) have been identified in Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora. Using TnphoA as a mutagen, we enriched for mutants defective in proteins that could play a role in the interaction between E. carotovora subsp. carotovora and its plant hosts, and identified Nip Ecc and its counterpart in E. carotovora subsp. atroseptica. These are members of a growing family of proteins related to Nep1 from Fusarium oxysporum which can induce necrotic responses in a variety of dicotyledonous plants. Nip Ecc produced necrosis in tobacco, Nip Eca affected potato stem rot, and both affected virulence in potato tubers. In E. carotovora subsp. carotovora, nip was shown to be subject to weak repression by the LuxR family regulator, EccR, and may be regulated by the negative global regulator RsmA.