Two-component signal transduction systems and regulation of virulence factors in Xanthomonas: a perspective

Abstract

Two-component signal transduction systems (TCSTSs), consisting of a histidine kinase and a response regulator, play a critical role in regulating virulence gene expression in Gram-negative phytopathogenic bacteria Xanthomonas spp.. To date, 12 TCSTS genes have been identified, accounting for approximately 10% of the TCSTS genes in each genome that have been experimentally identified to be related to pathogenesis. These TCSTSs modulate the expression of a number of virulence factors through diverse molecular mechanisms such as interacting with DNA, protein-binding and involvement in second messenger metabolism, which generates a high level of regulatory versatility. Here we summarize the current knowledge in this field and discuss the emerging themes and remaining questions that are important in deciphering the signaling network of TCSTSs in Xanthomonas.

Key words： Xanthomonas; two-component signal transduction system; virulence factor

Acknowledgements

The authors thank two anonymous reviewers for their valuable comments on this manuscript. This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 30771401) and The National Basic Research Program (No. 2011CB100700) from the Ministry of Science and Technology of China.

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