Direct fluorescence detection of VirE2 secretion by Agrobacterium tumefaciens

PLoS One. 2017 Apr 12;12(4):e0175273. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0175273. eCollection 2017.

Abstract

VirE2 is a ssDNA binding protein essential for virulence in Agrobacterium tumefaciens. A tetracysteine mutant (VirE2-TC) was prepared for in vitro and in vivo fluorescence imaging based on the ReAsH reagent. VirE2-TC was found to be biochemically active as it binds both ssDNA and the acidic secretion chaperone VirE1. It was also biologically functional in complementing virE2 null strains transforming Arabidopsis thaliana roots and Nicotiana tabacum leaves. In vitro experiments demonstrated a two-color fluorescent complex using VirE2-TC/ReAsH and Alexa Fluor 488 labeled ssDNA. In vivo, fluorescent VirE2-TC/ReAsH was detected in bacteria and in plant cells at time frames relevant to transformation.

MeSH terms

  • Agrobacterium tumefaciens / cytology
  • Agrobacterium tumefaciens / genetics
  • Agrobacterium tumefaciens / metabolism*
  • Arabidopsis / microbiology*
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism*
  • DNA, Single-Stranded / metabolism
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Mutation
  • Nicotiana / microbiology*
  • Optical Imaging
  • Plant Tumors / microbiology*
  • Protein Binding
  • Virulence Factors / genetics
  • Virulence Factors / metabolism*

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • DNA, Single-Stranded
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Virulence Factors