Project description:Quorum sensing (QS) in Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri, the causal agent of citrus canker, is mediated by a diffusible signal factor (DSF). QS is required for the full virulence of X. axonopodis pv. citri in planta. Mutations in rpfF, rpfC and rpfG, the core genes of QS, decreased the production of extracellular proteases and bacterial motility. Comparison of the transcriptomes of QS mutants with that of the wild type stain revealed that QS temporally regulates the expression of a large set of genes, including genes involved in chemotaxis and flagellar biosynthesis, genes related to metabolism, genes encoding virulence traits such as type II secretion system substates, type III secretion system and effectors. Cross talk between the QS regulon and the HrpG regulon has also been identified by 62 common genes shared by both regulons. The temporal regulation of the QS regulon and cross talk with the HrpG regulon suggest the important role of QS in citrus canker infection, including attachment, invasion and growth in host apoplast.
Project description:microRNAs can play a crucial role in stress response in plants, including biotic stress. Some miRNAs are known to respond to bacterial infection. This work has addressed the role of miRNAs in Manihot esculenta (cassava)-Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. manihotis (Xam) interaction. Illumina sequencing was used for analyzing small RNA libraries from cassava tissue infected and non-infected with Xam. Cassava variety MBRA685 (resistant to Xam-CIO151) Six-week-old plants were inoculated with 36h-old cultures of the aggressive Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. manihotis strain CIO151 in both leaves and stems.