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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Parlier, California » San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Sciences Center » Crop Diseases, Pests and Genetics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #244136

Title: Extracellular Genomic DNA Mediates Enhancement of Xylella fastidiosa Biofilm Formation in Vitro

Author
item Cheng, Davis
item Lin, Hong
item Civerolo, Edwin

Submitted to: Journal of Plant Pathology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/2/2009
Publication Date: 4/1/2010
Citation: Cheng, D.W., Lin, H., Civerolo, E.L. 2010. Extracellular Genomic DNA Mediates Enhancement of Xylella fastidiosa Biofilm Formation in Vitro. Journal of Plant Pathology. 92(2):405-410.

Interpretive Summary: Xylella fastidiosa (Xf) produces extracellular DNA that could enhance biofilm formation, a factor necessary for establishment of Xf leading to disease in plants. Relative amounts of extracellular DNA produced by Xf during culture were correlated with planktonic growth and biofilm formation, but were not related to cell viability. DNase I treatment of actively growing Xf cells in culture medium decreased or inhibited biofilm formation. Addition of Xf genomic DNA promoted biofilm formation. These results suggest that biogenesis of extracellular DNA may play a role for Xf biofilm formation and could be a critical step in establishment of Xf in plant interaction.

Technical Abstract: Xylella fastidiosa (Xf) produces extracellular DNA in PD3 liquid medium. This extracellular DNA could enhance biofilm formation, a factor in successful establishment of Xf in planta. The relative amounts of extracellular DNA were positively correlated with planktonic growth and biofilm formation in vitro, but were negatively correlated with cell viability. DNase I treatment of actively growing Xf cultures in PD3 medium decreased or inhibited biofilm formation. In contrast, addition of Xf genomic DNA promoted biofilm formation. These results suggest that biogenesis of extracellular DNA may play a role for Xf biofilm formation and could be a critical step in establishment of host-bacterium interaction.