Protection of Sinorhizobium Against Host Cysteine-Rich Antimicrobial Peptides Is Critical for Symbiosis
2011
How Symbiotic Bacteria Survive Host Defenses
publication
Evidence: moderate
Author Information
Author(s): AF Haag, M Baloban, M Sani, P Kerscher, O Pierre
Hypothesis
BacA protects Sinorhizobium meliloti from antimicrobial NCR peptides produced by host legumes.
Conclusion
BacA is essential for the survival of Sinorhizobium meliloti in the presence of host antimicrobial peptides.
Supporting Evidence
- BacA is required for S. meliloti differentiation in legumes that produce NCR peptides.
- BacA-deficient mutants were rapidly killed by host antimicrobial peptides.
- Wild-type S. meliloti survived in root nodule compartments while BacA-deficient mutants did not.
Takeaway
BacA helps bacteria survive in plants by protecting them from harmful substances that the plants produce.
Methodology
The researchers synthesized an antimicrobial peptide and compared its effects on cultured S. meliloti with and without BacA, and tested the viability of different strains in living plants.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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