Linking metabolic phenotypes to pathogenic traits among “Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus” and its hosts


Citation
Zuñiga et al. (2020). npj Systems Biology and Applications 6 (1)
Names (1)
Subjects
Applied Mathematics Computer Science Applications Drug Discovery General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology Modelling and Simulation
Abstract
AbstractCandidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas) has been associated with Huanglongbing, a lethal vector-borne disease affecting citrus crops worldwide. While comparative genomics has provided preliminary insights into the metabolic capabilities of this uncultured microorganism, a comprehensive functional characterization is currently lacking. Here, we reconstructed and manually curated genome-scale metabolic models for the six CLas strains A4, FL17, gxpsy, Ishi-1, psy62, and YCPsy, in addition to a model of the closest related culturable microorganism, L. crescens BT-1. Predictions about nutrient requirements and changes in growth phenotypes of CLas were confirmed using in vitro hairy root-based assays, while the L. crescens BT-1 model was validated using cultivation assays. Host-dependent metabolic phenotypes were revealed using expression data obtained from CLas-infected citrus trees and from the CLas-harboring psyllid Diaphorina citri Kuwayama. These results identified conserved and unique metabolic traits, as well as strain-specific interactions between CLas and its hosts, laying the foundation for the development of model-driven Huanglongbing management strategies.
Authors
Publication date
2020-08-04
DOI
10.1038/s41540-020-00142-w