title: Tracking the Subtle Mutations Driving Host Sensing by the Plant PathogenStreptomyces scabies.
abstract: The acquisition of genetic material conferring the arsenal necessary for host virulence is a prerequisite on the path to becoming a plant pathogen. More subtle mutations are also required for the perception of cues signifying the presence of the target host and optimal conditions for colonization. The decision to activate the pathogenic lifestyle is not "taken lightly" and involves efficient systems monitoring environmental conditions. But how can a pathogen trigger the expression of virulence genes in a timely manner if the main signal inducing its pathogenic behavior originates from cellulose, the most abundant polysaccharide on earth? This situation is encountered byStreptomyces scabies, which is responsible for common scab disease on tuber and root crops. We propose here a series of hypotheses of howS. scabiescould optimally distinguish whether cello-oligosaccharides originate from decomposing lignocellulose (nutrient sources, saprophyte) or, instead, emanate from living and expanding plant tissue (virulence signals, pathogen) and accordingly adapt its physiological response.
authors.affiliation: InBioS-Centre for Protein Engineering, University of Liège, Institut de Chimie, Liège, Belgium.
authors.forename: Samuel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jourdan
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, California State University, Bakersfield, California, USA.
authors.forename: Isolde M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Francis
authors.affiliation: InBioS-Centre for Protein Engineering, University of Liège, Institut de Chimie, Liège, Belgium.
authors.forename: Benoit
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Deflandre
authors.affiliation: Department of Plant Pathology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA.
authors.forename: Rosemary
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Loria
authors.affiliation: InBioS-Centre for Protein Engineering, University of Liège, Institut de Chimie, Liège, Belgium.
authors.forename: Sébastien
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rigali
keywords: Streptomyces; host sensing; host-pathogen interactions; phytopathogens; plant pathogens; scab disease