In Azozpirillum brasilense CD a mutation in fmlB results in a truncated polar flagellum, lack of swimming, and altered attachment to maize roots

ROSSI, F, ; FERRARI, W,; CASTRO M,; FISCHER, S,; PRINCIPE, A.; PISTORIO, M.; JOFRÉ, E.

Piriápolis

Congreso; XXV Reunión Latinoamericana de Rizobiología (XXV RELAR) y I Congreso Nacional de Microorganismos Promotores del Crecimiento Vegetal (I MIPCV); 2011

Asociación Latinoamericana de Rizobiología

In this study we generated a Tn5 mutant of A. brasilense Cd severely impaired in swimming. Genetic characterization allowed to the identification of the flmB gene whose deduced amino acid sequence showed high similarity and identity to a pyridoxal phosphate-depend aminotransferase of Caulobacter crescentus. The flmB gene is part of an operon with flmA and the putative role of both proteins is related to modifications of the flagellin before subunit assembly within the flagellar filament. Analysis by transmission electron microscopy revealed that the flmB mutant strain produced a truncated polar flagellum compared to the wild-type strain. Moreover, the attachment of the flmB mutant strain to maize roots was significantly lower than the wild-type strain in competition assays suggesting the participation of the polar flagellum during the establishment of the plant-bacteria interaction