A Chinese-international research team has revealed how the destructive plant pathogen Xanthomonas acquires nutrients from host crops. This discovery could lead to new ways to combat crop diseases caused by this bacterium.
Xanthomonas is a major agricultural threat worldwide. It infects over 400 crop species, including rice, citrus, and tomatoes, causing severe disease. Many crops lack natural resistance, making it difficult to control its rapid spread.
The study, published in Science, was led by Southwest University, Jilin Agricultural University, and Duke University, with contributions from the University of California and Seoul National University. Researchers focused on the pathogen’s nutrient acquisition mechanism in rice.
First author Wang Shanzhi explained that when Xanthomonas infects rice, it releases an enzyme called AvrBs2 into plant cells. This enzyme synthesizes a cyclic sugar phosphate compound known as xanthosan from the plant’s nutrients.
The pathogen then reabsorbs and breaks down xanthosan using a specialized transport protein and degradation enzyme. This process provides Xanthomonas with essential nutrients for growth and reproduction. Wang stated, “Blocking this nutrient acquisition pathway could enhance rice resistance to the bacterial disease.”
Based on these findings, the team proposed a new breeding strategy. Experiments showed that preventing Xanthomonas from using xanthosan reduces its virulence. Transgenic rice engineered with this trait demonstrated improved resistance without affecting plant growth or metabolism.
Researchers believe this strategy has broad applications. Because AvrBs2 is common to many Xanthomonas pathogens, the approach could also help manage other bacterial diseases, including citrus canker and tomato bacterial spot.
This discovery offers new hope for sustainable agriculture. By targeting the nutrient pipeline of Xanthomonas, scientists can develop crops that are less vulnerable to bacterial infections, reducing reliance on chemical treatments and improving food security globally.
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