Programmed cell death in Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. glycines is associated with modulation of gene expression resulting in altered states of motility, biofilm and virulence

One of the foremost report of apoptosis-like programmed cell death (PCD) came from Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. glycines (Xag), which displayed rapid post-exponential cell death in PCD inducing media (PIM) but not in a non-inducing media (PNIM). The current study aims to decipher for the first time, the advantages of the existence of PCD in this phytopathogenic microorganism. Analysis of RNA-seq under inducing and non-inducing conditions, revealed differential expression of a number of genes related to key physiology of Xag, such as, motility, xanthan biosynthesis and export as well as virulence. A PCD negative mutant Xag M42 displayed diminished virulence and a contrasting transcriptome pattern. In vitro experiments revealed that under PCD inducing condition, Xag produced negligible xanthan gum as well as extracellular amylase, displayed enhanced swarming motility, released copious e-DNA and formed scanty biofilm. Lack of ‘diffusible signalling factor’ production was eliminated as possible reason for PCD-induction. Altogether, it appears that, in planta existence of the pathogen metabolically resembles PNIM, and on being transferred to PIM, the cells experience oxidative stress and circumvents it by adopting PCD as an altruistic response. Survival of the remaining population is encouraged by upregulating motility, detachment from the fragile biofilm to achieve dispersal.