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Partial characterization of fimbriae of Xanthomonas campestris pv. hyacinthi

J van Doorn1, P M Boonekamp, B Oudega

  • 1Bulb Research Centre, Department of Plant Quality, 2160 AB Lisse, Netherlands

Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions : MPMI
|May 1, 1994
PubMed

Insights

Xanthomonas campestris pv. hyacinthi bacteria use type 4 fimbriae to attach to hyacinth stomata, initiating yellow disease. These fimbriae play a key role in the early infection stages of this plant pathogen.

Area of Science:

  • Plant Pathology
  • Bacteriology
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Xanthomonas campestris pv. hyacinthi causes yellow disease in hyacinths.
  • The bacterium possesses monopolarly attached fimbriae, approximately 5 nm in diameter and at least 6 µm long.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize the fimbriae of X. c. pv. hyacinthi.
  • To investigate the role of fimbriae in the pathogenesis of hyacinth yellow disease.

Main Methods:

  • Fimbrial purification using acid precipitation and SDS-PAGE.
  • Analysis of fimbrial protein subunit properties (molecular mass, isoelectric point, N-terminal sequence).
  • Serological characterization using polyclonal antiserum and immunofluorescence microscopy.

Main Results:

  • Purified fimbriae showed no hemagglutinating activity.
  • The fimbrial subunit has a molecular mass of 17 kDa and an isoelectric point of pH 4.1.
  • N-terminal sequencing identified the fimbriae as type 4, and antiserum confirmed their presence and location on bacterial cells and hyacinth stomata.

Conclusions:

  • Xanthomonas campestris pv. hyacinthi expresses type 4 fimbriae.
  • These fimbriae are involved in the attachment of bacterial cells to hyacinth stomata.
  • Fimbriae likely play a crucial role in the initial stages of yellow disease development.

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