title: New type IV pili-related genes involved in early stages of Ralstonia solanacearum potato infection.
abstract: This study provides insights into the pathogenesis of Ralstonia solanacearum, in particular with regards to strains belonging to phylotype IIB, sequevar 1 (IIB-1) and their interaction with potato, its natural host. We performed a comparative genomic analysis among IIB-1 R. solanacearum strains with different levels of virulence in order to identify candidate virulence genes. With this approach, we identified a 33.7-kb deletion in a strain showing reduced virulence on potato. This region contains a cluster of six genes putatively involved in type IV pili (Tfp) biogenesis. Functional analysis suggests that these proteins contribute to several Tfp-related functions such as twitching motility and biofilm formation. In addition, this genetic cluster was found to contribute to early bacterial wilt pathogenesis and colonization fitness of potato roots.
authors.forename: María Inés
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Siri
authors.forename: Analía
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sanabria
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Boucher
authors.forename: María Julia
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Pianzzola
mesh_terms: D018441:Biofilms / Q000254:growth & development; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D010861:Fimbriae, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial / Q000502:physiology*; D009154:Mutation; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D043368:Ralstonia solanacearum / Q000502:physiology*; D011198:Solanum tuberosum / Q000382:microbiology*
chemical_list: D004269:DNA, Bacterial