ABSTRACT
Aim: The aim of the present study was to understand the impact of human enteric pathogen (Serratia fonticola) colonization on cytoplasmic protein profile of tomato leaves. Methodology: Aseptically grown plants were inoculated with S. fonticola and sampled at different interval of time. Colonization pattern was studied by leaf impression technique. Changes in cytoplasmic protein profile were studied by protein-protein crosslinking method followed by separation through SDS PAGE. Results: The colonization pattern study revealed that maximum colonies were found at 24 hr post inoculation which gradually decreased with time, showing the survival of the pathogen on phylloplane. Electrophoretic separation of cytoplasmic proteins showed crosslinking of some proteins in treated samples at 48, 72 and 96 hr post inoculation. Interpretation: This study will help in understanding the molecular changes in cytoplasmic protein profile and survival of pathogen on phylloplane, thus limiting the growth of bacteria, Serratia fonticola on phyllosphere.