Mechanisms and regulation of polar surface attachment in Agrobacterium tumefaciens

Curr Opin Microbiol. 2009 Dec;12(6):708-14. doi: 10.1016/j.mib.2009.09.014. Epub 2009 Oct 29.

Abstract

Agrobacterium tumefaciens is a plant pathogen that transfers a segment of its own DNA into host plants to cause Crown Gall disease. The infection process requires intimate contact between the infecting bacteria and the host tissue. A. tumefaciens attaches efficiently to plant tissues and to abiotic surfaces, and can establish complex biofilms at colonization sites. The dominant mode of attachment is via a single pole in contact with the surface. Several different appendages, adhesins and adhesives play roles during attachment, and foster the transition from free-swimming to sessile growth. This polar surface interaction reflects a more fundamental cellular asymmetry in A. tumefaciens that influences and is congruent with its attached lifestyle.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adhesins, Bacterial / physiology
  • Agrobacterium tumefaciens / pathogenicity
  • Agrobacterium tumefaciens / physiology*
  • Bacterial Adhesion*
  • Biofilms / growth & development
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial*
  • Models, Biological
  • Organelles / physiology
  • Plant Diseases / microbiology*

Substances

  • Adhesins, Bacterial