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Transcriptome and Secretome Analyses of Endophyte Methylobacterium mesophilicum and Pathogen Xylella fastidiosa

Manuella Nobrega Dourado1,2, Paulo Marques Pierry3, Oseias Rodrigues Feitosa-Junior3

  • 1Microbiology Department, Biomedical Sciences Institute, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05508-000, Brazil.

Microorganisms
|November 25, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Methylobacterium mesophilicum inhibits Xylella fastidiosa by competing for nutrients like iron and phosphorus and degrading its cell wall. This interaction offers strategies for managing citrus diseases and improving crop yields.

Area of Science:

  • Plant Pathology
  • Microbial Ecology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Xylella fastidiosa causes significant diseases in fruit and nut crops.
  • Methylobacterium mesophilicum SR1.6/6 promotes plant growth and inhibits X. fastidiosa.
  • Molecular mechanisms of this microbial interaction remain largely unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the physiological and molecular interactions between M. mesophilicum SR1.6/6 and X. fastidiosa 9a5c in co-culture.
  • To elucidate the mechanisms by which M. mesophilicum inhibits X. fastidiosa.

Main Methods:

  • Transcriptome and secretome analyses of co-cultured microbes.
  • Identification of differentially expressed genes and secreted proteins.

Main Results:

  • X. fastidiosa upregulated stress and pathogenicity genes (e.g., LesA) and downregulated cell division/transport genes.
  • M. mesophilicum upregulated iron uptake but downregulated other transport genes.
  • M. mesophilicum secreted proteins involved in phosphorus uptake and hydrolases, suggesting nutrient competition and cell wall degradation.

Conclusions:

  • M. mesophilicum inhibits X. fastidiosa primarily through nutrient competition (iron, phosphorus) leading to starvation.
  • Enzymatic degradation of the X. fastidiosa cell wall by M. mesophilicum contributes to inhibition.
  • Understanding these interactions provides avenues for controlling X. fastidiosa and enhancing citrus productivity.
Keywords:
citrusendophytic bacteriaphytopathogen–endophyte interactionsecretometranscriptome

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