Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato exploits light signals to optimize virulence and colonization of leaves

Light is pervasive in the leaf environment, creating opportunities for both plants and pathogens to cue into light as a signal to regulate plant-microbe interactions. Light enhances plant defences and regulates opening of stomata, an entry point for foliar bacterial pathogens such as Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 (PsPto). The effect of light perception on gene expression and virulence was investigated in PsPto. Light induced genetic reprogramming in PsPto that entailed significant changes in stress tolerance and virulence. Blue light-mediated up-regulation of type three secretion system genes and red light-mediated down-regulation of coronatine biosynthesis genes. Cells exposed to white light, blue light or darkness before inoculation were more virulent when inoculated at dawn than dusk probably due to an enhanced entry through open stomata. Exposure to red light repressed coronatine biosynthesis genes which could lead to a reduced stomatal re-opening and PsPto entry. Photoreceptor were required for the greater virulence of light-treated and dark-treated PsPto inoculated at dawn as compared to dusk, indicating that these proteins sense the absence of light and contribute to priming of virulence in the dark. These results support a model in which PsPto exploits light changes to maximize survival, entry and virulence on plants.