Global functional genomics of plant cell transformation by agrobacterium

The aim of this study was to carry out a global functional genomics analysis of plant cell transformation by Agrobacterium in order to define and characterize the physiology of Agrobacterium in the acidic environment of a wounded plant. We planed to study the proteome and transcriptome of Agrobacterium in response to a change in pH, from 7.2 to 5.5 and identify genes and circuits directly involved in this change. Bacteria-plant interactions involve a large number of global regulatory systems, which are essential for protection against new stressful conditions. The interaction of bacteria with their hosts has been previously studied by genetic-physiological methods. We wanted to make use of the new capabilities to study these interactions on a global scale, using transcription analysis (transcriptomics, microarrays) and proteomics (2D gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry). The results provided extensive data on the functional genomics under conditions that partially mimic plant infection and – in addition - revealed some surprising and significant data. Thus, we identified the genes whose expression is modulated when Agrobacterium is grown under the acidic conditions found in the rhizosphere (pH 5.5), an essential environmental factor in Agrobacterium – plant interactions essential for induction of the virulence program by plant signal molecules. Among the 45 genes whose expression was significantly elevated, of special interest is the two-component chromosomally encoded system, ChvG/I which is involved in regulating acid inducible genes. A second exciting system under acid and ChvG/Icontrol is a secretion system for proteins, T6SS, encoded by 14 genes which appears to be important for Rhizobium leguminosarum nodule formation and nitrogen fixation and for virulence of Agrobacterium. The proteome analysis revealed that gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA), a metabolite secreted by wounded plants, induces the synthesis of an Agrobacterium lactonase which degrades the quorum sensing signal, N-acyl homoserine lactone (AHL), resulting in attenuation of virulence. In addition, through a transcriptomic analysis of Agrobacterium growing at the pH of the rhizosphere (pH=5.5), we demonstrated that salicylic acid (SA) a well-studied plant signal molecule important in plant defense, attenuates Agrobacterium virulence in two distinct ways - by down regulating the synthesis of the virulence (vir) genes required for the processing and transfer of the T-DNA and by inducing the same lactonase, which in turn degrades the AHL. Thus, GABA and SA with different molecular structures, induce the expression of these same genes. The identification of genes whose expression is modulated by conditions that mimic plant infection, as well as the identification of regulatory molecules that help control the early stages of infection, advance our understanding of this complex bacterial-plant interaction and has immediate potential applications to modify it. We expect that the data generated by our research will be used to develop novel strategies for the control of crown gall disease. Moreover, these results will also provide the basis for future biotechnological approaches that will use genetic manipulations to improve bacterial-plant interactions, leading to more efficient DNA transfer to recalcitrant plants and robust symbiosis. These advances will, in turn, contribute to plant protection by introducing genes for resistance against other bacteria, pests and environmental stress.