Functional and proteomic analyses reveal that wxcB is involved in virulence, motility, detergent tolerance, and biofilm formation in Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria.

Abstract

The bacterial envelope possesses diverse functions, including protection against environmental stress and virulence factors for host infection. Here, we report the function of wxcB in Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria (Xcv), a causal agent of bacterial leaf spot disease in tomato and pepper. To characterize roles of wxcB, we generated a knockout mutant (XcvΔwxcB) and found that the virulence of the mutant was weaker than that of the wild type in tomato plants. To predict the mechanism affected by wxcB, we compared protein expressions between the wild type and the mutant. Expression of 152 proteins showed a greater than 2-fold difference. Proteins involved in motility and cell wall/membrane were the most abundant. Through phenotypic assays, we further demonstrated that the mutant displayed reduced motility and tolerance to treatment, but it showed increased biofilm formation. Interestingly, the LPS profile was unchanged. These results lead to new insights into the functions of wxcB that is associated with cell wall/membrane functions, which contributes to pathogen virulence.

• Authors: Hye-Jee Park, Ho Won Jung, Sang-Wook Han
• Journal: Biochemical and biophysical research communications (Biochem Biophys Res Commun) Vol. 452 Issue 3 Pg. 389-94 (Sep 26 2014) ISSN: 1090-2104 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 25159842 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Bacterial Proteins
• Detergents
• Virulence Factors

Topics

• Bacterial Proteins (genetics, metabolism)
• Biofilms (drug effects, growth & development)
• Capsicum (microbiology)
• Cell Membrane (drug effects, genetics, metabolism)
• Cell Wall (drug effects, genetics, metabolism)
• Detergents (pharmacology)
• Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial
• Gene Knockout Techniques
• Solanum lycopersicum (microbiology)
• Plant Diseases (microbiology)
• Plant Leaves (microbiology)
• Proteomics
• Signal Transduction
• Virulence
• Virulence Factors (genetics, metabolism)
• Xanthomonas campestris (drug effects, genetics, metabolism, pathogenicity)
• Xanthomonas vesicatoria (drug effects, genetics, metabolism, pathogenicity)