Discipline: Biological Sciences
Subcategory: Plant Research
Tierra Green - Dillard University
Co-Author(s): Fan Yang, Ph.D., University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska and James R. Alfano, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska
The bacterium Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato (Pto) infects tomato and a wide range of host plants. To establish a successful infection on plants, Pto employs different virulence factors that resist against host immune defense mechanism, such as oxidative stress that is harmful for the pathogen. OxyR is a transcription factor that activates a H2O2 detoxifying system, which is essential for Pto survival. In this study, we aim to characterize effects of OxyR gene on the Pto pathogenicity. Lack of OxyR in Pto results in a reduced infection on Arabidopsis. Early reports shown that several conserved cysteine residues in OxyR were involved in the pathogenicity of animal pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Interestingly, our finding indicated that those conserved cysteine residues are dispensable for Pto infection on plants. These results provide preliminary insight into OxyR function and mechanism of oxidative detoxification in plant pathogen.
Not SubmittedFunder Acknowledgement(s): University of Nebraska-Lincoln REU
Faculty Advisor: Ruby Broadway, rbroadway@dillard.edu
Role: Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Interestingly, our finding indicated that those conserved cysteine residues are dispensable for Pto infection on plants. These results provide preliminary insight into OxyR function and mechanism of oxidative detoxification in plant pathogen.