Journal Article

Monofunctional Catalase KatE of Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri Is Required for Full Virulence in Citrus Plants

Tondo, Maria Laura, Petrocelli, Silvana, Ottado, Jorgelina, Orellano, Elena G

2010

Overview

Background: Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri (Xac) is an obligate aerobic phytopathogen constantly exposed to hydrogen peroxide produced by normal aerobic respiration and by the plant defense response during plant-pathogen interactions. Four putative catalase genes have been identified in silico in the Xac genome, designated as katE, catB, srpA (monofunctional catalases) and katG (bifunctional catalase). Methodology/Principal Findings: Xac catalase activity was analyzed using native gel electrophoresis and semi-quantitative RT-PCR. We demonstrated that the catalase activity pattern was regulated in different growth stages displaying the highest levels during the stationary phase. KatE was the most active catalase in this phase of growth. At this stage cells were more resistant to hydrogen peroxide as was determined by the analysis of CFU after the exposition to different H2O2 concentrations. In addition, Xac exhibited an adaptive response to hydrogen peroxide, displaying higher levels of catalase activity and H2O2 resistance after treatment with sub-lethal concentrations of the oxidant. In the plant-like medium XVM2 the expression of KatE was strongly induced and in this medium Xac was more resistant to H2O2. A XackatE mutant strain was constructed by insertional mutagenesis. We observed that catalase induction in stationary phase was lost meanwhile the adaptive response to peroxide was maintained in this mutant. Finally, the XackatE strain was assayed in planta during host plant interaction rendering a less aggressive phenotype with a minor canker formation. Conclusions: Our results confirmed that in contrast to other Xanthomonas species, Xac catalase-specific activity is induced during the stationary phase of growth in parallel with the bacterial resistance to peroxide challenge. Moreover, Xac catalases expression pattern is modified in response to any stimuli associated with the plant or the microenvironment it provides. The catalase KatE has been shown to have an important function for the colonization and survival of the bacterium in the citrus plant during the pathogenic process. Our work provides the first genetic evidence to support a monofunctional catalase as a virulence factor in Xac.

• Publisher: Public Library of Science,Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subject: Adaptation, Physiological - drug effects / Aerobic respiration / aerobiosis / Analysis / bacteria / bacterial diseases of plants / Canker / Catalase / Catalase - biosynthesis / Catalase - genetics / Catalase - metabolism / cell respiration / Citrus / Citrus - microbiology / Cloning / Colonization / Culture Media / Defense industry / developmental stages / Drug resistance / Drug Resistance, Bacterial - drug effects / Enzyme Induction - drug effects / Enzymes / Extracellular Space - drug effects / Extracellular Space - microbiology / Gel electrophoresis / Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial - drug effects / Genes / Genomes / Genomics / Host plants / Host-Pathogen Interactions - drug effects / Hydrogen / Hydrogen ion concentration / Hydrogen peroxide / Hydrogen Peroxide - pharmacology / Insertional mutagenesis / Isoenzymes - biosynthesis / Isoenzymes - genetics / Isoenzymes - metabolism / Mesorhizobium loti / Microbiology / Microbiology/Microbial Growth and Development / Microbiology/Microbial Physiology and Metabolism / Microbiology/Plant-Biotic Interactions / Molecular biology / Mutagenesis / mutants / Mutation - genetics / Organisms / oxidants / Oxidative stress / Oxidizing agents / Pathogens / phenotype / Phenotypes / plant pathogens / Plasmids / Polymerase chain reaction / Pseudomonas syringae / reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction / Stationary phase / sublethal effects / Virulence / Virulence (Microbiology) / Virulence - drug effects / Virulence factors / Xanthomonas / Xanthomonas axonopodis / Xanthomonas axonopodis - drug effects / Xanthomonas axonopodis - enzymology / Xanthomonas axonopodis - growth & development / Xanthomonas axonopodis - pathogenicity / Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri / Xanthomonas campestris / Xanthomonas oryzae