Quorum sensing as a target for developing control strategies for the plant pathogen Pectobacterium

2007 ◽  
pp. 353-365
Author(s):  
Denis Faure ◽  
Yves Dessaux
Keyword(s):  
Quorum Sensing ◽  
Plant Pathogen ◽  
Control Strategies

scholarly journals Signal Integration in Quorum Sensing Enables Cross-Species Induction of Virulence in Pectobacterium wasabiae

mBio ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rita S. Valente ◽  
Pol Nadal-Jimenez ◽  
André F. P. Carvalho ◽  
Filipe J. D. Vieira ◽  
Karina B. Xavier
Keyword(s):  
Signal Transduction ◽  
Quorum Sensing ◽  
Plant Pathogen ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Homoserine Lactone ◽  
Signal Molecules ◽  
Acyl Homoserine Lactone ◽  
Interspecies Interactions ◽  
Major Factors

ABSTRACT Bacterial communities can sense their neighbors, regulating group behaviors in response to cell density and environmental changes. The diversity of signaling networks in a single species has been postulated to allow custom responses to different stimuli; however, little is known about how multiple signals are integrated and the implications of this integration in different ecological contexts. In the plant pathogen Pectobacterium wasabiae (formerly Erwinia carotovora), two signaling networks—the N-acyl homoserine lactone (AHL) quorum-sensing system and the Gac/Rsm signal transduction pathway—control the expression of secreted plant cell wall-degrading enzymes, its major virulence determinants. We show that the AHL system controls the Gac/Rsm system by affecting the expression of the regulatory RNA RsmB. This regulation is mediated by ExpR2, the quorum-sensing receptor that responds to the P. wasabiae cognate AHL but also to AHLs produced by other bacterial species. As a consequence, this level of regulation allows P. wasabiae to bypass the Gac-dependent regulation of RsmB in the presence of exogenous AHLs or AHL-producing bacteria. We provide in vivo evidence that this pivotal role of RsmB in signal transduction is important for the ability of P. wasabiae to induce virulence in response to other AHL-producing bacteria in multispecies plant lesions. Our results suggest that the signaling architecture in P. wasabiae was coopted to prime the bacteria to eavesdrop on other bacteria and quickly join the efforts of other species, which are already exploiting host resources. IMPORTANCE Quorum-sensing mechanisms enable bacteria to communicate through small signal molecules and coordinate group behaviors. Often, bacteria have various quorum-sensing receptors and integrate information with other signal transduction pathways, presumably allowing them to respond to different ecological contexts. The plant pathogen Pectobacterium wasabiae has two N-acyl homoserine lactone receptors with apparently the same regulatory functions. Our work revealed that the receptor with the broadest signal specificity is also responsible for establishing the link between the main signaling pathways regulating virulence in P. wasabiae. This link is essential to provide P. wasabiae with the ability to induce virulence earlier in response to higher densities of other bacterial species. We further present in vivo evidence that this novel regulatory link enables P. wasabiae to join related bacteria in the effort to degrade host tissue in multispecies plant lesions. Our work provides support for the hypothesis that interspecies interactions are among the major factors influencing the network architectures observed in bacterial quorum-sensing pathways. IMPORTANCE Quorum-sensing mechanisms enable bacteria to communicate through small signal molecules and coordinate group behaviors. Often, bacteria have various quorum-sensing receptors and integrate information with other signal transduction pathways, presumably allowing them to respond to different ecological contexts. The plant pathogen Pectobacterium wasabiae has two N-acyl homoserine lactone receptors with apparently the same regulatory functions. Our work revealed that the receptor with the broadest signal specificity is also responsible for establishing the link between the main signaling pathways regulating virulence in P. wasabiae. This link is essential to provide P. wasabiae with the ability to induce virulence earlier in response to higher densities of other bacterial species. We further present in vivo evidence that this novel regulatory link enables P. wasabiae to join related bacteria in the effort to degrade host tissue in multispecies plant lesions. Our work provides support for the hypothesis that interspecies interactions are among the major factors influencing the network architectures observed in bacterial quorum-sensing pathways.

Quorum Sensing Inhibition Attenuates the Virulence of the Plant Pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum Species Complex

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (11) ◽  
pp. 3050-3059
Author(s):  
Ayaka Yoshihara ◽  
Mika Shimatani ◽  
Megumi Sakata ◽  
Chika Takemura ◽  
Wakana Senuma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quorum Sensing ◽  
Plant Pathogen ◽  
Ralstonia Solanacearum ◽  
Species Complex ◽  
Quorum Sensing Inhibition

scholarly journals Transcriptional Analysis of the Global Regulatory Networks Active in Pseudomonas syringae during Leaf Colonization

mBio ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xilan Yu ◽  
Steven P. Lund ◽  
Jessica W. Greenwald ◽  
Angela H. Records ◽  
Russell A. Scott ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quorum Sensing ◽  
Secondary Metabolite ◽  
Pseudomonas Syringae ◽  
Plant Pathogen ◽  
Regulatory Network ◽  
Sigma Factors ◽  
In Planta ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Environmental Signals

ABSTRACTThe plant pathogenPseudomonas syringaepv. syringae B728a grows and survives on leaf surfaces and in the leaf apoplast of its host, bean (Phaseolus vulgaris). To understand the contribution of distinct regulators to B728a fitness and pathogenicity, we performed a transcriptome analysis of strain B728a and nine regulatory mutants recovered from the surfaces and interior of leaves and exposed to environmental stresses in culture. The quorum-sensing regulators AhlR and AefR influenced few genesin plantaorin vitro. In contrast, GacS and a downstream regulator, SalA, formed a large regulatory network that included a branch that regulated diverse traits and was independent of plant-specific environmental signals and a plant signal-dependent branch that positively regulated secondary metabolite genes and negatively regulated the type III secretion system. SalA functioned as a central regulator of iron status based on its reciprocal regulation of pyoverdine and achromobactin genes and also sulfur uptake, suggesting a role in the iron-sulfur balance. RetS functioned almost exclusively to repress secondary metabolite genes when the cells were not on leaves. Among the sigma factors examined, AlgU influenced many more genes than RpoS, and most AlgU-regulated genes depended on RpoN. RpoN differentially impacted many AlgU- and GacS-activated genes in cells recovered from apoplastic versus epiphytic sites, suggesting differences in environmental signals or bacterial stress status in these two habitats. Collectively, our findings illustrate a central role for GacS, SalA, RpoN, and AlgU in global regulation in B728ain plantaand a high level of plasticity in these regulators’ responses to distinct environmental signals.IMPORTANCELeaves harbor abundant microorganisms, all of which must withstand challenges such as active plant defenses and a highly dynamic environment. Some of these microbes can influence plant health. Despite knowledge of individual regulators that affect the fitness or pathogenicity of foliar pathogens, our understanding of the relative importance of various global regulators to leaf colonization is limited.Pseudomonas syringaestrain B728a is a plant pathogen and a good colonist of both the surfaces and interior of leaves. This study used global transcript profiles of strain B728a to investigate the complex regulatory network of putative quorum-sensing regulators, two-component regulators, and sigma factors in cells colonizing the leaf surface and leaf interior under stressfulin vitroconditions. The results highlighted the value of evaluating these networksin plantadue to the impact of leaf-specific environmental signals and suggested signal differences that may enable cells to differentiate surface versus interior leaf habitats.

scholarly journals Inhibition of AI-2 Quorum Sensing and Biofilm Formation in Campylobacter jejuni by Decanoic and Lauric Acids

2022 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shenmiao Li ◽  
Kelvin Ka-wan Chan ◽  
Marti Z. Hua ◽  
Greta Gölz ◽  
Xiaonan Lu
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Quorum Sensing ◽  
Campylobacter Jejuni ◽  
Lauric Acid ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Decanoic Acid ◽  
Poultry Production ◽  
Bacterial Inactivation ◽  
Autoinducer 2

Campylobacter jejuni is a major bacterial cause of human diarrheal diseases worldwide. Despite its sensitivity to environmental stresses, C. jejuni ubiquitously distributes throughout poultry production chains. Biofilm formation mediated by quorum sensing is suggested to be critical to the survival of C. jejuni in agroecosystem. C. jejuni possesses LuxS, the enzyme involved in the production of autoinducer-2 (AI-2) signaling molecules. In this study, two fatty acids, namely decanoic acid and lauric acid, were identified to be effective in inhibiting AI-2 activity of C. jejuni. Both decanoic acid and lauric acid at 100 ppm inhibited ∼90% AI-2 activity (P < 0.05) of C. jejuni without bacterial inactivation. The biofilm biomass of two C. jejuni strains was reduced by 10–50% (P < 0.05) after treatment by both fatty acids, while increased biofilm formation was observed for one C. jejuni strain. In addition, both fatty acids effectively reduced the motility of all tested C. jejuni strains. These findings can aid in developing alternative C. jejuni control strategies in agri-food and clinical settings.

scholarly journals Modulation of Quorum Sensing as an Adaptation to Nodule Cell Infection during Experimental Evolution of Legume Symbionts

mBio ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mingxing Tang ◽  
Olivier Bouchez ◽  
Stéphane Cruveiller ◽  
Catherine Masson-Boivin ◽  
Delphine Capela
Keyword(s):  
Quorum Sensing ◽  
Plant Pathogen ◽  
Ralstonia Solanacearum ◽  
Experimental Evolution ◽  
Root Nodules ◽  
Single Mutation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Intracellular Infection ◽  
Infection Threads ◽  
Ancestral Strain

ABSTRACT Over millions of years, changes have occurred in regulatory circuitries in response to genome reorganization and/or persistent changes in environmental conditions. How bacteria optimize regulatory circuitries is crucial to understand bacterial adaptation. Here, we analyzed the experimental evolution of the plant pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum into legume symbionts after the transfer of a natural plasmid encoding the essential mutualistic genes. We showed that the Phc quorum sensing system required for the virulence of the ancestral bacterium was reconfigured to improve intracellular infection of root nodules induced by evolved Ralstonia. A single mutation in either the PhcB autoinducer synthase or the PhcQ regulator of the sensory cascade tuned the kinetics of activation of the central regulator PhcA in response to cell density so that the minimal stimulatory concentration of autoinducers needed for a given response was increased. Yet, a change in the expression of a PhcA target gene was observed in infection threads progressing in root hairs, suggesting early programming for the late accommodation of bacteria in nodule cells. Moreover, this delayed switch to the quorum sensing mode decreased the pathogenicity of the ancestral strain, illustrating the functional plasticity of regulatory systems and showing how a small modulation in signal response can produce drastic changes in bacterial lifestyle. IMPORTANCE Rhizobia are soil bacteria from unrelated genera able to form a mutualistic relationship with legumes. Bacteria induce the formation of root nodules, invade nodule cells, and fix nitrogen to the benefit of the plant. Rhizobial lineages emerged from the horizontal transfer of essential symbiotic genes followed by genome remodeling to activate and/or optimize the acquired symbiotic potential. This evolutionary scenario was replayed in a laboratory evolution experiment in which the plant pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum successively evolved the capacities to nodulate Mimosa pudica and poorly invade, then massively invade, nodule cells. In some lines, the improvement of intracellular infection was achieved by mutations modulating a quorum sensing regulatory system of the ancestral strain. This modulation that affects the activity of a central regulator during the earliest stages of symbiosis has a huge impact on late stages of symbiosis. This work showed that regulatory rewiring is the main driver of this pathogeny-symbiosis transition.

scholarly journals The ComX Quorum Sensing Peptide of Bacillus subtilis Affects Biofilm Formation Negatively and Sporulation Positively

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. 1131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mihael Špacapan ◽  
Tjaša Danevčič ◽  
Polonca Štefanic ◽  
Michael Porter ◽  
Nicola R. Stanley-Wall ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bacillus Subtilis ◽  
Quorum Sensing ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Matrix Protein ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Fibrous Matrix ◽  
Sensing System ◽  
Quorum Sensing System ◽  
Biofilm Development

Quorum sensing (QS) is often required for the formation of bacterial biofilms and is a popular target of biofilm control strategies. Previous studies implicate the ComQXPA quorum sensing system of Bacillus subtilis as a promoter of biofilm formation. Here, we report that ComX signaling peptide deficient mutants form thicker and more robust pellicle biofilms that contain chains of cells. We confirm that ComX positively affects the transcriptional activity of the PepsA promoter, which controls the synthesis of the major matrix polysaccharide. In contrast, ComX negatively controls the PtapA promoter, which drives the production of TasA, a fibrous matrix protein. Overall, the biomass of the mutant biofilm lacking ComX accumulates more monosaccharide and protein content than the wild type. We conclude that this QS phenotype might be due to extended investment into growth rather than spore development. Consistent with this, the ComX deficient mutant shows a delayed activation of the pre-spore specific promoter, PspoIIQ, and a delayed, more synchronous commitment to sporulation. We conclude that ComX mediated early commitment to sporulation of the wild type slows down biofilm formation and modulates the coexistence of multiple biological states during the early stages of biofilm development.

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