title: Properties of bacterial endophytes and their proposed role in plant growth.
abstract: Bacterial endophytes live inside plants for at least part of their life cycle. Studies of the interaction of endophytes with their host plants and their function within their hosts are important to address the ecological relevance of endophytes. The modulation of ethylene levels in plants by bacterially produced 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase is a key trait that enables interference with the physiology of the host plant. Endophytes with this capacity might profit from association with the plant, because colonization is enhanced. In turn, host plants benefit by stress reduction and increased root growth. This mechanism leads to the concept of 'competent' endophytes, defined as endophytes that are equipped with genes important for maintenance of plant-endophyte associations. The ecological role of these endophytes and their relevance for plant growth are discussed here.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbial Ecology, Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Studies, University of Groningen, Kerklaan 30, 9751 NN, Haren, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Pablo R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Hardoim
authors.forename: Leo S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: van Overbeek
authors.forename: Jan Dirk van
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Elsas
mesh_terms: D018407:Bacterial Physiological Phenomena; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D005030:Ethylenes / Q000378:metabolism; D063245:Plant Development; D010937:Plant Growth Regulators / Q000378:metabolism; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology; D010944:Plants / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology*
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D005030:Ethylenes; D010937:Plant Growth Regulators; C036216:ethylene