Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions (2018) 31, 1166-1178

Chunting Wang, Tianxin Pu, Wangying Lou, Yujie Wang, Zishu Gao, Baishi Hu and Jiaqin Fan (2018)
Hfq, a RNA chaperone, contributes to virulence by regulating plant cell wall–degrading enzyme production, type VI secretion system expression, bacterial competition, and suppressing host defense response in Pectobacterium carotovorum
Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions 31 (11), 1166-1178
Abstract: Hfq is a RNA chaperone and participates in a wide range of cellular processes and pathways. In this study, mutation of hfq gene from Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum PccS1 led to significantly reduced virulence and plant cell wall–degrading enzyme (PCWDE) activities. In addition, the mutant exhibited decreased biofilm formation and motility and greatly attenuated carbapenem production as well as secretion of hemolysin coregulated protein (Hcp) as compared with wild-type strain PccS1. Moreover, a higher level of callose deposition was induced in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves when infiltrated with the mutant. A total of 26 small (s)RNA deletion mutants were obtained among a predicted 27 sRNAs, and three mutants exhibited reduced virulence in the host plant. These results suggest that hfq plays a key role in Pectobacterium virulence by positively impacting PCWDE production, secretion of the type VI secretion system, bacterial competition, and suppression of host plant responses.
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Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Baishi Hu

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
molecular biology - genes

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Pectobacterium carotovorum