Pleiotropic effects of a rel mutation on stress survival of Rhizobium etli CNPAF512.

BACKGROUND: The rel gene of Rhizobium etli (relRet), the nodulating endosymbiont of the common bean plant, determines the cellular level of the alarmone (p)ppGpp and was previously shown to affect free-living growth and symbiosis. Here, we demonstrate its role in cellular adaptation and survival in response to various stresses. RESULTS: Growth of the R. etli relRet mutant was strongly reduced or abolished in the presence of elevated NaCl levels or at 37 degrees C, compared to the wild type. In addition, depending on the cell density, decreased survival of exponentially growing or stationary phase relRet mutant cells was obtained after H2O2, heat or NaCl shock compared to the wild-type strain. Survival of unstressed stationary phase cultures was differentially affected depending on the growth medium used. Colony forming units (CFU) of relRet mutant cultures continuously decreased in minimal medium supplemented with succinate, whereas wild-type cultures stabilised at higher CFU levels. Microscopic examination of stationary phase cells indicated that the relRet mutant was unable to reach the typical coccoid morphology of the wild type in stationary phase cultures. Assessment of stress resistance of re-isolated bacteroids showed increased sensitivity of the relRet mutant to H2O2 and a slightly increased resistance to elevated temperature (45 degrees C) or NaCl shock, compared to wild-type bacteroids. CONCLUSION: The relRet gene is an important factor in regulating rhizobial physiology, during free-living growth as well as in symbiotic conditions. Additionally, differential responses to several stresses applied to bacteroids and free-living exponential or stationary phase cells point to essential physiological differences between the different states.

Quorum signal molecules as biosurfactants affecting swarming in Rhizobium etli.

Swarming motility is suggested to be a social phenomenon that enables groups of bacteria to coordinately and rapidly move atop solid surfaces. This multicellular behavior, during which the apparently organized bacterial populations are embedded in an extracellular slime layer, has previously been linked with biofilm formation and virulence. Many population density-controlled activities involve the activation of complex signaling pathways using small diffusible molecules, also known as autoinducers. In Gram-negative bacteria, quorum sensing (QS) is achieved primarily by means of N-acylhomoserine lactones (AHLs). Here, we report on a dual function of AHL molecules in controlling swarming behavior of Rhizobium etli, the bacterial symbiotic partner of the common bean plant. The major swarming regulator of R. etli is the cinIR QS system, which is specifically activated in swarming cells by its cognate AHL and other long-chain AHLs. This signaling role of long-chain AHLs is required for high-level expression of the cin and rai QS systems. Besides this signaling function, the long-chain AHLs also have a direct role in surface movement of swarmer cells as these molecules possess significant surface activity and induce liquid flows, known as Marangoni flows, as a result of gradients in surface tension at biologically relevant concentrations. These results point to an as-yet-undisclosed direct role of long-chain AHL molecules as biosurfactants.