Convergent gain and loss of genomic islands drive lifestyle changes in plant-associated Pseudomonas.

ABSTRACT: Host-associated bacteria can have both beneficial and detrimental effects on host health. While some of the molecular mechanisms that determine these outcomes are known, little is known about the evolutionary histories of pathogenic or mutualistic lifestyles. Using the model plant Arabidopsis, we found that closely related strains within the Pseudomonas fluorescens species complex promote plant growth and occasionally cause disease. To elucidate the genetic basis of the transition between commensalism and pathogenesis, we developed a computational pipeline and identified genomic islands that correlate with outcomes for plant health. One island containing genes for lipopeptide biosynthesis and quorum-sensing is required for pathogenesis. Conservation of the quorum-sensing machinery in this

SUBMITTER: Melnyk RA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6776051 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature