How plant pathogenic bacteria remote-control host gene expression

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Project objective

Research objectives and content The AvrBs3 protein from phytopathogenic Xanthomonas bacteria triggers pepper plants carrying the resistance gene Bs3 to specifically recognize and counteract the pathogen. In susceptible tomato and pepper plants, however, AvrBs3 induceshypertrophy of leaf mesophyll cells. Both biological effects depend on the Xanthomonas Hrp type 111 secretion system that is thought to translocate bacterial proteins into the host cell. Furthermore, AvrBs3 has nuclear localization signals and a putative transcription activation domain that are required for its activity. Therefore, we hypothesize that AvrBs3 is a parasitic too allowing Xanthomonas to manipulate host gene expression. Target plant genes, of which expression is induced, will be isolated by cDNA-AFLP and their function studied by overexpression. Their promoter regions will be used in DNA-protein interaction assays to test whether AvrBs3 acts directly by binding DNA, or indirectly by interacting with host DNA binding proteins Training content (objective, benefit and expected impact) This work involves using a broad spectrum of techniques in DNA / protein biochemistry and gene engineering, which will low me to aquire valuable skills for my research carreer. Links with industry / industrial relevance (22) The final aim of this basic research is to improve crop resistance to pathogens using new gene engineering strategies. The host laboratory has industrial links through an EC-Biotech project (contract no B104-CT972244)

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Participants

• MARTIN-LUTHER-UNIVERSITAET HALLE-WITTENBERG · HALLE (SAALE)CoordinatorGermany

Links

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