Riboswitch theo/metE as a Transcription Regulation Tool for Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri

Author(s)

Bueno, Danilo ^[1] ; Pedrolli, Danielle B. ^[2] ; Martins, Paula M. M. ^[3] ; Bocchini, Daniela A. ^[4] ; Moraes, Karen C. M. ^[1] ; Facincani, Agda P. ^[5] ; Ferro, Jesus A. ^[5] ; Varani, Alessandro M. ^[5] ; Pena, Michelle M. ^[5] ; Ferreira, Henrique ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Sao Paulo State Univ UNESP, Biosci Inst, Dept Gen & Appl Biol, BR-13506900 Rio Claro, SP - Brazil

^[2] Sao Paulo State Univ UNESP, Sch Pharmaceut Sci, Dept Biol Sci, BR-14800903 Araraquara, SP - Brazil

^[3] Agron Inst Sao Paulo IAC, Citriculture Ctr, BR-13490970 Cordeiropolis, SP - Brazil

^[4] Sao Paulo State Univ UNESP, Inst Chem, Dept Biochem & Chem Technol, BR-14800060 Araraquara, SP - Brazil

^[5] Sao Paulo State Univ UNESP, Sch Agr & Vet Sci, Dept Technol, BR-14884900 Jaboticabal, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: MICROORGANISMS; v. 9, n. 2 FEB 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri (X. citri) is the causal agent of Asiatic Citrus Canker (ACC), a disease that affects citrus. ACC has no cure, and growers must rely on special agricultural practices to prevent bacterial spreading. Understanding X. citri basic biology is essential to foresee potential genetic targets to control ACC. Traditionally, microbial genetics use gene deletion/disruption to investigate gene function. However, essential genes are difficult to study this way. Techniques based on small-RNAs and antisense-RNAs are powerful for gene characterization, but not yet fully explored in prokaryotes. One alternative is riboswitches, which derive from bacteria, and can control transcription/translation. Riboswitches are non-coding RNAs able to modulate gene expression in the presence of specific ligands. Here we demonstrate that the riboswitch theo/metE decreases parB expression in X. citri in a platform responsive to theophylline. By monitoring cell respiration, we showed that higher concentrations of the ligand interfered with bacterial viability. Therefore, we determined the safe dose of theophylline to be used with X. citri. Finally, in downstream investigations of parB transcription modulation, we show evidence for the fact that ParB is stable, remains functional throughout the cell cycle, and is inherited by the daughter cells upon cell division. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/18519-0 - Evaluation of the riboswitch theo/metE for gene silencing in Xanthomonas citri
• Grantee: Danilo Bueno
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• FAPESP's process: 15/50162-2 - Protecting plants with antimicrobial peptides and gallates - Pro-Planta
• Grantee: Henrique Ferreira
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 14/50880-0 - INCT 2014: comparative and functional genomics and citrus-assisted breeding
• Grantee: Marcos Antonio Machado
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants