AUTHOR=Wasendorf Chloe , Schmitz-Esser Stephan , Eischeid Carter J. , Leyhe Martin J. , Nelson Erika N. , Rahic-Seggerman Faith M. , Sullivan Kasey E. , Peters Nick T. 

TITLE=Genome analysis of Erwinia persicina reveals implications for soft rot pathogenicity in plants

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Microbiology

VOLUME=Volume 13 - 2022

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2022.1001139

DOI=10.3389/fmicb.2022.1001139

ISSN=1664-302X

ABSTRACT=Soft rot disease causes devastating losses to crop plants all over the world, with up to 90% loss in tropical climates. To better understand this economically important phenomena, we isolated four soft rot-causing Erwinia persicina strains from rotted vegetables. Notably, Erwinia persicina has only recently been identified as a soft rot pathogen and a comprehensive genomic analysis and comparison has yet to be conducted. Here, we provide the first detailed genomic analysis of Erwinia persicina, compared to Pectobacterium carotovorum and associated Erwinia plant pathogens. We found that Erwinia persicina shares common genomic features with other Erwinia species and Pectobacterium, while having its own unique characteristics as well. The Erwinia persicina strains examined here lack Type II and Type III secretion systems, commonly used to secrete pectolytic enzymes and evade the host immune response, respectively. Erwinia persicina contains fewer pectolytic enzymes than Pectobacterium and lack the Out Type II secretion system while harboring a siderophore that causes the unique pink pigmentation during soft rot infections. Interestingly, a putative phenolic acid decarboxylase is present in the Erwinia persicina strains and some soft rot pathogens, but absent in other Erwinia species, thus potentially providing an important factor for soft rot. All four Erwinia persicina isolates obtained here and many other Erwinia persicina genomes contain plasmids larger than 100 kbp that encode proteins likely important for adaptation to plant hosts. This research provides novel insights into the possible mechanisms of soft rot disease by Erwinia persicina and potential targets for diagnostic tools and control measures.