The Arac-like transcriptional regulator YqhC is involved in pathogenicity of Erwinia amylovora.

Abstract

AIMS:

This study aimed to identify virulence-associated genes and functions that affect disease development on pear caused by Erwinia amylovora EaUMG3 isolated from Iran.

METHODS AND RESULTS:

A mini-Tn5 transposon library was generated in EaUMG3. An E. amylovora mutant that had lost its ability to cause lesions on immature pear fruits, was selected for further analysis. This mutant was shown to have a transposon insertion in yqhC, a gene belongs to the AraC family of transcriptional regulators. A mutant of the wild-type EaUMG3 carrying an unmarked deletion of the yqhC gene was created using pDMS197. The Ea∆yqhC mutant showed reduced disease progression on immature pear fruits and pear plants, reduced motility and significantly lower levels of the virulence factors siderophore and amylovoran. Complementation with yqhC cloned in pBBR1MCS restored disease progression and the level of virulence factors to near wild type.

CONCLUSION:

YqhC transcriptional regulator is necessary for full virulence of E. amylovora. In addition, this regulator affects virulence factors such as siderophore production, amylovoran production, and motility.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF STUDY:

The identification of a novel transcriptional regulator with strong impact in the pathogenesis of E. amylovora, an organism causing significant economic losses in fruit production.

• Authors: Masood Sahebi, Saeed Tarighi, Parissa Taheri
• Journal: Journal of applied microbiology (J Appl Microbiol) Vol. 132 Issue 2 Pg. 1319-1329 (Feb 2022) ISSN: 1365-2672 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 34480830 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2021 The Society for Applied Microbiology.

Chemical References

• Bacterial Proteins

Topics

• Bacterial Proteins (genetics)
• Erwinia amylovora (genetics, pathogenicity)
• Genes, Bacterial
• Plant Diseases (microbiology)
• Pyrus (microbiology)
• Virulence (genetics)