Diffusible Signal Factor-Mediated Quorum Sensing Modulates Swarming in Xanthomonas albilineans
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Updated: Jun 15, 2025

Time-lapse Imaging of Bacterial Swarms and the Collective Stress Response
Published on: May 23, 2020
Meilin Li1, Yixue Bao1, Wenhan Chen1
1Guangxi Key Laboratory for Sugarcane Biology & State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization for Subtropical Agri-Biological Resources, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530005, China.
Abstract:
Xanthomonas spp. are plant pathogens known for significantly impacting crop yields. Among them, Xanthomonas albilineans (Xal) is notable for colonizing the xylem and causing sugarcane leaf scald disease. This study employed homologous recombination to mutate quorum sensing regulatory genes (rpf) to investigate their role in Xal pathogenicity. Deletions of rpfF (ΔrpfF), rpfC (ΔrpfC), and rpfG (ΔrpfG) led to reduced swarming, growth, and virulence. However, diffusible signal factor (DSF) supplementation restored swarming and growth in the ΔrpfF mutant. Deleting rpfC, rpfG, and rpfF also reduced twitching motility and affected type IV pilus expression. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that ΔrpfF positively regulates flagellar genes. DSF supplementation in ΔrpfF (ΔrpfF-DSF) modulated the expression of flagellar, chemotaxis, and type IV pilus genes. These findings elucidate the DSF-mediated swarming pathway in Xal and provide valuable insights into its regulatory mechanisms.
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