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Identification of novel virulence genes and metabolic pathways required for full fitness of P seudomonas savastanoi pv. savastanoi in olive ( O lea europaea ) knots
Author(s) -
Matas Isabel M.,
Lambertsen Lotte,
RodríguezMoreno Luis,
Ramos Cayo
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
new phytologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.742
H-Index - 244
eISSN - 1469-8137
pISSN - 0028-646X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-8137.2012.04357.x
Subject(s) - virulence , biology , pathogen , pseudomonas syringae , gene , microbiology and biotechnology , host (biology) , mutant , genetics , mutagenesis , colonization
Summary Comparative genomics and functional analysis of P seudomonas syringae and related pathogens have mainly focused on diseases of herbaceous plants; however, there is a general lack of knowledge about the virulence and pathogenicity determinants required for infection of woody plants. Here, we applied signature‐tagged mutagenesis ( STM ) to P seudomonas savastanoi pv. savastanoi during colonization of olive ( O lea europaea ) knots, with the goal of identifying the range of genes linked to growth and symptom production in its plant host. A total of 58 different genes were identified, and most mutations resulted in hypovirulence in woody olive plants. Sequence analysis of STM mutations allowed us to identify metabolic pathways required for full fitness of P . savastanoi in olive and revealed novel mechanisms involved in the virulence of this pathogen, some of which are essential for full colonization of olive knots by the pathogen and for the lysis of host cells. This first application of STM to a P . syringae ‐like pathogen provides confirmation of functional capabilities long believed to play a role in the survival and virulence of this group of pathogens but not adequately tested before, and unravels novel factors not correlated previously with the virulence of other plant or animal bacterial pathogens.