Journal article
A novel method to identify genes of Ralstonia solanacearum race 3 biovar 2 that are induced by host root exudates
Phytopathology, Vol.96(6), pp.S25-S25
01 Jun 2006
Abstract
Ralstonia solanacearum race 3 biovar 2 (R3bv2) causes bacterial wilt, an economically important disease affecting potato and tomato production worldwide. This Select Agent soilborne pathogen is strongly attracted to host root exudates by means of chemotaxis, the ability to swim towards optimal conditions. Little is known about pathogen behavior in the host rhizosphere and early in root invasion. We hypothesize that in addition to acting as chemoattractants, host root exudates also induce expression of bacterial rex (root exudate expressed) genes, whose products may facilitate root invasion and colonization or act directly as early virulence factors. We employ a novel taxis-based strategy to identify pathogen genes induced by tomato root exudates. The rex screen is modeled on in vivo expression technology (IVET). The screen uses a promoter-trapping strategy to identify promoters that, in the presence of host root exudates, can drive expression of essential chemotaxis gene cheW and thus restore taxis to a non-tactic cheW mutant. We demonstrate the feasibility of using the rex screen to identify promoters whose gene products are expressed early in the pathogen-host interaction. This study will add significantly to our understanding of R3bv2 traits that are specific to life in the rhizosphere and to the early stages of pathogenesis.
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Details
- Title
- A novel method to identify genes of Ralstonia solanacearum race 3 biovar 2 that are induced by host root exudates
- Creators
- J CliffordC Allen
- Publication Details
- Phytopathology, Vol.96(6), pp.S25-S25
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; [Retired Faculty]
- Identifiers
- 991020202347804721