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Title: MUTATION IN AN SDHA HOMOLOGUE IN ENTEROBACTER CLOACAE RESULTS IN REDUCED COLONIZATION BUT DOES NOT AFFECT BIOCONTROL OF DAMPING OFF ON CUCUMBER

Author
item Lohrke, Scott
item McKenna, Laurie
item Baker, Con
item LIU, S - CHINESE ACAD OF SCI
item DERY, PIERRE - USDA, RETIRED
item Roberts, Daniel

Submitted to: Phytopathology
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/30/2002
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Identification of genes involved in seed and root colonization by biocontrol bacteria may allow for strategies for improved ecological fitness, survival, and performance by these strains. Enterobacter cloacae strain M2, containing a single transposon insertion, was reduced in colonization of cucumber roots relative to wild-type strain 501R3 but unaffected in control of Pythium ultimum damping-off on cucumber. DNA sequence analysis indicated that the transposon was inserted in sdhA, which encodes a subunit of succinate dehydrogenase. The growth profile of strain M2 was consistent with an sdhA mutant. Succinate dehydrogenase is involved in aerobic respiration and is responsible for a key metabolic step in the TCA cycle, catalyzing the conversion of succinate to fumarate.