Control and host-dependent activation of insect toxin expression in a root-associated biocontrol pseudomonad.
Details
Serval ID
serval:BIB_3B8F92118AE5
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Control and host-dependent activation of insect toxin expression in a root-associated biocontrol pseudomonad.
Journal
Environmental Microbiology
ISSN
1462-2920 (Electronic)
ISSN-L
1462-2912
Publication state
Published
Issued date
2013
Volume
15
Number
3
Pages
736-750
Language
english
Abstract
Pseudomonas fluorescens CHA0 is a root-associated biocontrol agent that suppresses soil-borne fungal diseases of crops. Remarkably, the pseudomonad is also endowed with systemic and oral activity against pest insects which depends on the production of the insecticidal Fit toxin. The toxin gene (fitD) is part of a virulence cassette encoding three regulators (FitF, FitG, FitH) and a type I secretion system (FitABC-E). Immunoassays with a toxin-specific antibody and transcriptional analyses involving fitG and fitH deletion and overexpression mutants identified LysR family regulator FitG and response regulator FitH as activator and repressor, respectively, of Fit toxin and transporter expression. To visualize and quantify toxin expression in single live cells by fluorescence microscopy, we developed reporters which in lieu of the native toxin protein express a fusion of the Fit toxin with red fluorescent mCherry. In a wild-type background, expression of the mCherry-tagged Fit toxin was activated at high levels in insect hosts, i.e. when needed, yet not on plant roots or in batch culture. By contrast, a derepressed fitH mutant expressed the toxin in all conditions. P. fluorescens hence can actively induce insect toxin production in response to the host environment, and FitH and FitG are key regulators in this mechanism.
Pubmed
Web of science
Create date
12/10/2011 9:02
Last modification date
20/08/2019 13:31