Planta Med 2014; 80 - WS23
DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1394564

Quenching of quorum coordination by potent endophytic bacteria harbored in Cannabis sativa L. plants

O Kayser 1, P Kursari 1, S Kusari 2, M Lamshoeft 2, M Spiteller 2
  • 1Technische Universität Dortmund, Technische Biochemie, Germany
  • 2Technische Universität Dortmund, Institut für Umweltforschung (INFU), Germany

Our work demonstrates an important survival strategy used by endophytes to circumvent invasion by a plethora of generalist and specific pathogens. This study exemplifies a significant biological role played by the endophytes in different ecological niches, by acting as antivirulence agents. Endophytes are a group of microorganism inhabiting tissues of the plant and constantly co-evolving with the host plant and associated microorganisms. Our previous work on the attack-defense-counter-defense strategies of the endophytic fungal community revealed their potential as biocontrol agents. Therefore, we further our investigation to study the ecological context of the bacterial endophytes in providing host fitness benefits. In this study, we use a combination of high performance liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-HRMs) and matrix assisted laser desorption ionization imaging high-resolution mass spectrometry (MALDI-imaging-HRMS) to quantify and visualize the selective and differential quorum quenching capability of potent bacterial endophytes harbored in Cannabis sativa L. plants. Our work provides fundamental insights into potential of endophytic bacteria as biological tools for biocontrol of phytopathogens and as antivirulent agents both within the ecological context and clinical settings.

Keywords: Endophytes, plant-microbe-interaction, Cannabis, quorum sensing

References:

[1] Kusari P., Kusari S., Lamshoeft M., Sezgin S., Spiteller M., Kayser O. (2014) Quorum quenching is an antivirulence strategy employed by endophytic bacteria. Submitted.

[2] Kusari P., Spiteller M., Kayser O., Kusari S. (2014) Recent advances in research on Cannabis sativa L. endophytes and their prospect for the pharmaceutical industry. In: Kharwar R.N. et al. (eds.) Microbial Diversity and Biotechnology in Food Security, Springer. In Press.

[3] Kusari P., Kusari S., Spiteller M., Kayser O. (2013) Endophytic fungi harbored in Cannabis sativa L.: Diversity and potential as biocontrol agents against host plant-specific phytopathogens. Fungal Divers 60:137 – 151.