The impact of root exudates on NRRL B-16219 exoproteome.

Root exudates from host plant species are known to play a critical role in the establishment and maintenance of symbiotic relationships with soil bacteria. In this study, we investigated the impact of root exudates from compatible host plant species; on the exoproteome of strain NRRL B-16219. A total of 565 proteins were evidenced as differentially abundant, with 32 upregulated and 533 downregulated in presence of the plant exudates. Analysis of the function of these proteins suggests that the bacterial strain is undergoing a complex metabolic reprogramming towards a new developmental phase elicited in presence of host plant root exudates. The upregulation of Type II/IV secretion system proteins among the differentially expressed proteins indicates their possible role in infecting the host plant, as shown for some rhizobia. Additionally, EF-Tu, proteins upregulated in this study, may function as an effector for the T4SSs and trigger plant defense responses. These findings suggest that may use EF-Tu to infect the actinorhizal host plant and pave the way for further investigations of the molecular mechanisms underlying the establishment of symbiotic relationships.