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Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis was used to identify differentially displayed proteins during treatment of Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. passiflorae in media containing leaf extract of the compatible (passion fruit) and incompatible (tomato) hosts. The results showed that at different times of treatment (5, 25 and 45 h) the global expression of proteins was almost identical in cells grown in minimal medium (MM) and in medium containing leaf extract of the incompatible host (MMT). The protein patterns of cells grown in medium containing passiflorae (MMP) leaf extract and MM were also compared enabling the detection of 17 differential spots. Most of the proteins were induced at earlier times of incubation (5 h) and maintained until 45 h in MMP. By using another carrier ampholyte range, seven additional proteins were identified in MMP treated cells. Five proteins, including one constitutive, two induced and two up-regulated in MMP were microsequenced. All sequences were found in the genome of xanthomonads sharing high level of identity (88-100%). Fructose biphosphate aldolase was expressed in all media employed. A putative membrane-related protein and a hypothetical protein were novel proteins induced specifically by the passiflorae extract. An inorganic pyrophosphatase and a hypothetical protein that showed similarity to the yciF gene of Salmonella thyphimurium were up-regulated in MMP.

The present study reports the expression of proteins of Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri in response to different growth conditions. The bacterium was cultured in the basal medium MM1 and in the presence of leaf extracts from a susceptible host plant (sweet orange) as well as a resistant (ponkan) and a nonhost plant (passion fruit). The protein profiles were analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE). Twelve differential spots (induced, up- and down-regulated and repressed) were observed in the protein profiles of the bacterium cultivated in citrus extract (susceptible host) when compared to that of MM1. The 2-DE profile of the bacterium cultured in the complex medium nutrient yeast glycerol was also obtained and the comparison with that of MM1 revealed 36 differential spots. Five proteins from the different treatments were successfully N-terminally sequenced and the putative functions were assigned by homology searches in databases. Two constitutively expressed proteins, B4 and B5, were identified as pseudouridine synthase and elongation factor P, respectively. The large subunit of ribulose 1,5-biphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase and a sulfate binding protein were found as specifically up-regulated in the presence of citrus extracts. Finally, the heat shock protein G was found exclusively in the complex medium and repressed in all other media.