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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Global Expression Profile of Biofilm Resistance to Antimicrobial Compounds in the Plant-Pathogenic Bacterium Xylella fastidiosa Reveals Evidence of Persister Cells

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Author(s):
Muranaka, Ligia S. [1, 2] ; Takita, Marco A. [1] ; Olivato, Jacqueline C. [1] ; Kishi, Luciano T. [1] ; de Souza, Alessandra A. [1]
Total Authors: 5
Affiliation:
[1] Ctr APTA Citros Sylvio Moreira IAC, Sao Paulo - Brazil
[2] Univ Estadual Campinas UNICAMP, Ctr Biol Mol & Engn Genet, Dept Genet & Evolucao, Inst Biol, Sao Paulo - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 2
Document type: Journal article
Source: Journal of Bacteriology; v. 194, n. 17, p. 4561-4569, SEP 2012.
Web of Science Citations: 32
Abstract

Investigations of biofilm resistance response rarely focus on plant-pathogenic bacteria. Since Xylella fastidiosa is a multihost plant-pathogenic bacterium that forms biofilm in the xylem, the behavior of its biofilm in response to antimicrobial compounds needs to be better investigated. We analyzed here the transcriptional profile of X. fastidiosa subsp. pauca in response to inhibitory and subinhibitory concentrations of copper and tetracycline. Copper-based products are routinely used to control citrus diseases in the field, while antibiotics are more widely used for bacterial control in mammals. The use of antimicrobial compounds triggers specific responses to each compound, such as biofilm formation and phage activity for copper. Common changes in expression responses comprise the repression of genes associated with metabolic functions and movement and the induction of toxin-antitoxin systems, which have been associated with the formation of persister cells. Our results also show that these cells were found in the population at a ca. 0.05% density under inhibitory conditions for both antimicrobial compounds and that pretreatment with subinhibitory concentration of copper increases this number. No previous report has detected the presence of these cells in X. fastidiosa population, suggesting that this could lead to a multidrug tolerance response in the biofilm under a stressed environment. This is a mechanism that has recently become the focus of studies on resistance of human-pathogenic bacteria to antibiotics and, based on our data, it seems to be more broadly applicable. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 08/57909-2 - Genomic platforms applied to citrus breeding
Grantee:Marcos Antonio Machado
Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants