Ever wondered how a tiny bacterium can wreak havoc on rice fields worldwide? 🤔 A research team from the Chinese mainland (Southwest University, Jilin Agricultural University) and scholars at Duke University, the University of California and Seoul National University just cracked the code!
Published in Science earlier this month, the study dives into Xanthomonas oryzae, a notorious pathogen that infects over 400 crops 🌾. It spreads fast, dodges control measures and leaves farmers scrambling for solutions.
Lead author Wang Shanzhi explains that once Xanthomonas infects rice cells, it unleashes an enzyme called AvrBs2. This “nutrient-synthesizing enzyme” taps into plant sugars to create a special cyclic sugar phosphate named xanthosan. Then, the bacteria slurp it right back through a custom transport protein and break it down for fuel. In short, Xanthomonas builds a “synthesis-transport-utilization” pipeline to keep itself fed and multiplying. 🍽️🔄
But there’s a silver lining! By blocking this nutrient pipeline—an approach the team dubs “anti-xanthomonadin”—they managed to weaken the pathogen’s virulence. Transgenic rice with this trait showed stronger resistance and kept its normal growth and metabolism intact. 🛡️
Since AvrBs2 is a common tool among many Xanthomonas strains, this strategy could be a game-changer for other bacterial foes like citrus canker or tomato bacterial spot. It’s a fresh step toward sustainable agriculture and safer harvests. 🌍🚜
With threats like Xanthomonas, innovation is the key to protecting food security. And thanks to this international collaboration, we’re one step closer to fields full of healthy, resilient crops! 🌱
Reference(s):
Chinese-international team unlocks new strategy against 'crop killer'
cgtn.com
