Resource sharing by outer membrane vesicles from a citrus pathogen

ABSTRACT: The causative agent of citrus canker disease, Xanthomonas citri pv. citri, was found to produce copious amounts of outer membrane vesicles (OMVs), frequently forming long membranous tubes under different culture conditions. Lipidomic analysis revealed significant differences in lipid composition between purified vesicles in relation to whole cells. The results suggest an enrichment in saturated cardiolipins and a decrease in unsaturated lipids in the OMV samples, possibly granting them a more rigid structure while allowing their high degree of curvature caused by their small diameters. The vesicles’ proteome was found to be significantly enriched in TonB-dependent receptors related to the acquisition of different nutrients, including siderophores. These iron-binding molecules were evidenced to be present in purified X. citri OMVs, along with essential metals including iron itself, zinc, and manganese quantified by elemental analysis. The availability of vesicle-associated nutrients to be incorporated by cells was demonstrated by the use of OMVs as the sole carbon source for bacterial growth. At last, the vesicles also presented esterase and protease activities, which have been associated with virulence in phytopathogens. These evidences point that X. citri cells can use OMVs to share resources within microbial communities, which has potential implications for microbial interactions and plant colonization, affecting their survival and persistence on the host and in the environment.

INSTRUMENT(S): LTQ Orbitrap Velos

ORGANISM(S): Xanthomonas Citri Pv. Citri Str. 306

SUBMITTER: Giuseppe Palmisano  

LAB HEAD: Cristiane Guzzo Carvalho

PROVIDER: PXD025405 | Pride | 2025-07-28

REPOSITORIES: Pride