Lipopolysaccharide functions in plant-bacteria interactions

• Applicant: Professorin Dr. Stefanie Ranf-Zipproth
• Subject Area: Organismic Interactions, Chemical Ecology and Microbiomes of Plant Systems ; Plant Breeding and Plant Pathology
• Term: from 2016 to 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 290259269

Diseases of crops caused by Gram-negative bacteria such as Pseudomonas, Xanthomonas, or Xylella, reduce crop yield and quality and are difficult to control. Plants evolved diverse immune sensors to monitor microbial colonisation. Sensing of microbe-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs) by cell surface pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs) activates broad-spectrum pattern-triggered immunity (PTI). Bacteria evolved virulence strategies to counteract plant immunity and promote plant colonisation. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) released by bacteria are important immunomodulators in host-bacteria interactions. In mammalian pathogens, structural modifications of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), the major component of the outer leaflet of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, have been shown to influence the release of outer membrane vesicles (OMVs). The connection between LPS structures and EV production in plant-associated bacteria is unknown. In this project we aim to mechanistically resolve the role of modifications of LPS in the release of EVs from plant-associated bacteria, and investigate whether EVs contribute to LORE-dependent immune sensing of bacteria in Arabidopsis thaliana. A detailed understanding of the dynamic interaction between bacteria and plant hosts at the molecular level is fundamental for the development of environment-friendly and sustainable disease management strategies in crops.

• DFG Programme: Independent Junior Research Groups