Contact-dependent traits in Pseudomonas syringae B728a.

Many bacteria can transition from a planktonic lifestyle to life attached to a surface. Changes in gene expression have been documented in bacteria in mature biofilms, but few studies have looked at gene expression during the initial stages of surface attachment. To investigate this, we performed RNA-Seq using the model organism Pseudomonas syringae B728a which has been found in rivers and lakes but is known for living on the leaf surface. We compared gene expression of wild-type P. syringae B728a cells attached to a filter for 2 hours to the gene expression of wild-type P. syringae B728a cells in King's medium B broth. We found that certain gene catergories were quickly induced when cells were on a surface such as flagellar synthesis and motility while other gene categories were quickly repressed such as phytotoxin synthesis and transport. These fast changes in gene expression suggest that P. syringae B728a uses surface attachment as a potential cue to better adapt to life on a surface. Examination of gene expression in Pseudomonas syringae B728a cells using RNA sequencing. Gene expression of P. syringae B728a cells attached to a filter for 2 hours was compared to gene expression of P. syringae B728a cells in broth culture. Three replicates were used per condition.