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The critical role of biofilms in bacterial vascular plant pathogenesis
Author(s) -
Mina I. R.,
Jara N. P.,
Criollo J. E.,
Castillo J. A.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
plant pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.928
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1365-3059
pISSN - 0032-0862
DOI - 10.1111/ppa.13073
Subject(s) - biofilm , biology , quorum sensing , pathogenicity , abiotic component , microbiology and biotechnology , host (biology) , bacteria , pathogenic bacteria , pathogenesis , pathogenicity island , colonization , ecology , genetics , immunology , salmonella
Bacterial life is a combination of two lifestyles, mobile and social. In the social lifestyle, cells are usually embedded in a self‐produced matrix and attached to biotic or abiotic surfaces. These communities can be organized as either single or multilayered structures termed biofilms. Biofilms evolved to cope with the harsh environmental conditions that bacteria encounter within the host, mostly from the host’s defence response. In plant pathogenic bacteria, biofilms participate in the whole process of pathogenicity, from the first step of invasion to the full colonization of plant tissues. The specific role that biofilms play in the pathogenicity process of plant bacterial pathogens is poorly understood. In this review, the role of biofilms in the pathogenic process of major vascular plant pathogens is examined. In addition, quorum sensing signals and components that are essential for biofilm formation and therefore, for pathogenesis, are addressed. Although, in certain systems, further research is required, experimental evidence in the literature indicates that biofilms are, in most cases, essential for pathogenesis.