Metabolism of nitrogen compounds and carbohydrates, and modification of cell wall of citrus infected by Xylella fastidiosa

Author(s)

Rubia Padilha Purcino

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: Campinas, SP.
• Institution: Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Instituto de Biologia
• Defense date: 2006-02-31

Examining board members

Paulo Mazzafera; Marlene Aparecida Schiavinato; Gonçalo Amarante Guimarães Pereira; Marcos Silveira Buckeridge

• Advisor: Paulo Mazzafera

Abstract

Xylellafastidiosa (Xj) is a fastidious bacterium which grows exclusively in the xylem of several plants. In citrus the disease caused by Xf is known as "clorose variegada do citros" (CVC), being responsible for marked loss of productivity since the 80s. Although a meaningful number of reports have been published in the literature about Xf, little is know about the mechanisms controlling infection, the biochemical composition of the xylem fluid where the bacteria develops and how the disease symptoms develop. Most of the studies on the nutritional requirements by the bacteria were carried out with artificial media in vitro, what may not be the exact situation in the xylem. The aim of this thesis was to characterize the xylem sap composition of citrus plants in order to better understand nutritional aspects of the bacteria and this can influence the disease development. During the experiments new questions arose and focus was given to the nitrogen metabolism of citrus plants infected with Cvc. Therefore, the thesis has two chapters. The first chapter contains results on the qualitative and quantitative characterization of the xylem sap of health and diseased plants as well as the activity of enzymes ofthe nitrogen metabolism in plants. The activity ofNitrate reductase (NR) in leaves did not change in diseased plant (PD), however, the activity of Glutamine synthethase (GS) was significantly higher in these leaves. Although amino acids concentration was slightly higher in the sap of diseased plants the leveI dropped drastically in the leaves. The protein contents were lower in the sap and in leaves of diseased plants. Diseased and health plants showed the same amino acid profile in HPLC, but different proportions were observed among amino acids, mainly for the amino acids ASN, GLN and ARG. The polyamine putrescine was found in high concentrations only in diseased plants. These results showed that significant changes take place in the nitrogen metabolism of diseased plants, probably as a response to the alterations in the absorption, assimilation and distribution of nitrogen in the plant. In the second chapter the data on carbohydrates, organic acids and cell wall are presented. The xylem sap of diseased plants showed lower concentration of glucose than health plants. High amounts of citric acid were also found in diseased plants. This information was used to design artificial media to grow the bacteria and study its nutritional need. Best growth was observed with media containing glucose (l g/L), sucrose plus citrate both at 3g/L, and citrate alone at 3 g/L, indicating that the composition of the sap might play a role both in the bacterial agregation as well as in the biofilm formation. Infection with XI also promoted changes in the cell wall of leaf peduncle of infected plants. Immunocytochemical analysis with confocal microscopy, using the antibodies 11M 5 and 11M 7, showed marked differences between diseased and health plants regarding the pectin esterification. Additionally the hemicelullose fraction was also affected. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 02/02001-0 - Composition of xylem and xylem sap in citrus infected with Xylella fastidiosa
• Grantee: Rúbia Padilha Purcino
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate