Leaf nodule endosymbiotic Burkholderia confer targeted allelopathy to their Psychotria hosts.

ABSTRACT: After a century of investigations, the function of the obligate betaproteobacterial endosymbionts accommodated in leaf nodules of tropical Rubiaceae remained enigmatic. We report that the α-D-glucose analogue (+)-streptol, systemically supplied by mature Ca. Burkholderia kirkii nodules to their Psychotria hosts, exhibits potent and selective root growth inhibiting activity. We provide compelling evidence that (+)-streptol specifically affects meristematic root cells transitioning to anisotropic elongation by disrupting cell wall organization in a mechanism of action that is distinct from canonical cellulose biosynthesis inhibitors. We observed no inhibitory or cytotoxic effects on organisms other than seed plants, further suggesting (+)-streptol as a bona fide allelochemical. We propose th

SUBMITTER: Georgiou A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8599487 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature