Localization and characterization of Xylella fastidiosa haemagglutinin adhesins.
Xylella fastidiosa is a gram-negative, xylem-inhabiting, plant-pathogenic bacterium responsible for several important diseases including Pierce's disease (PD) of grapevines. The bacteria form biofilms in grapevine xylem that contribute to the occlusion of the xylem vessels. X. fastidiosa haemagglutinin (HA) proteins are large afimbrial adhesins that have been shown to be crucial for biofilm formation. Little is known about the mechanism of X. fastidiosa HA-mediated cell-cell aggregation or the localization of the adhesins on the cell. We generated anti-HA antibodies and show that X. fastidiosa HAs are present in the outer membrane and secreted both as soluble proteins and in membrane vesicles. Furthermore, the HA pre-proteins are processed from the predicted molecular mass of 360 kDa to a mature 220 kDa protein. Based on this information, we are evaluating a novel form of potential resistance against PD by generating HA-expressing transgenic grapevines.
Voegel
Tanja M
TM
Department of Plant Pathology, University of California, Davis, CA 951616, USA.|Center for Applied Biosciences, University of Freiburg, Germany.
Warren
Jeremy G
JG
Department of Plant Pathology, University of California, Davis, CA 951616, USA.
Matsumoto
Ayumi
A
Department of Microbiology, University of California, Davis, CA 951616, USA.
Igo
Michele M
MM
Department of Microbiology, University of California, Davis, CA 951616, USA.
Kirkpatrick
Bruce C
BC
Department of Plant Pathology, University of California, Davis, CA 951616, USA.
D018829:Adhesins, Bacterial / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D018441:Biofilms; D006388:Hemagglutinins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008970:Molecular Weight; D021381:Protein Transport; D044167:Xylella / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D018829:Adhesins, Bacterial; D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins; D006388:Hemagglutinins