Decreased Peptidoglycan Synthesis Induces the RSI Invasion Switch in Agrobacterium tumefaciens

We report that depletion of PBP1a in Agrobacterium tumefaciens induces transcriptional changes remarkably similar to the RSI invasion switch. Using RNA-seq with NextSeq 500 sequencing, we identified genes that are differentially expressed during depletion of PBP1a after 6 hours and after 16 hours. Depletion of PBP1a after 6 hours results in upregulation in genes associated with Type VI Secretion and succinoglycan production and downregulation of genes associated with flagellar motility and chemotaxis. After 16 hours, additional differentially expressed genes were identified, including those encoding ABC transporters. Overall design: Examination of transcriptional changes associated with PBP1a depletion after 6 hours and after 16 hours. 20 samples were examined: 4 replicates of each WT, WT + IPTG, PBP1a + IPTG, PBP1a 6 hour, and PBP1a 16 hour.