AraC-Family Transcriptional Regulator WhpR Controls Virulence in Pseudomonas savastanoi pv. savastanoi Through Regulation of Indole Metabolism.

ABSTRACT: The Pseudomonas syringae complex WHOP genomic island underpins virulence in woody hosts by mediating the catabolism of aromatic compounds. However, the biochemical functions of the ipoABC and dhoAB operons and the regulatory gene whpR remain unknown. Comparative genomics revealed WHOP-like clusters beyond P. syringae, found in diverse plant-associated, environmental and clinical bacteria, including indole degraders. We propose that ipoABC and dhoAB mediate indole degradation via anthranilate, linking indole detoxification to central metabolism through the β-ketoadipate pathway. In the olive pathogen P. savastanoi pv. savastanoi, ipoABC promotes indole degradation, indigo production, cell aggregation and biofilm formation. WhpR, an AraC-family regulator structurally related to CuxR and ToxT

SUBMITTER: Arroyo-Mateo A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12538310 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature