Impact of pehR transcriptional regulator on Ralstonia solanacearum F1C1 gene expression patterns

Ralstonia solanacearum, recognized as a pervasive plant pathogen causing lethal wilt disease in over 450 plant species worldwide, represents a substantial threat to economically vital crops including tomato, chili, and eggplant. Within R. solanacearum, pehR serves as a transcriptional regulator, forming part of the pehSR two-component regulatory system. This system governs the production of polygalacturonase (PG), a crucial extracellular enzyme involved in plant cell wall degradation and bacterial wilt development. Our study focuses on a disruption mutant of the pehR gene from the local isolate R. solanacearum F1C1, obtained from Tezpur, Assam. Utilizing RNA-seq, we examine the gene expression profiles of R. solanacearum F1C1 under pehR regulation. Differential expression analysis between wild type and pehR mutants reveals a set of genes directly influenced by pehR. This comprehensive gene expression analysis provides insights into the system-level responses orchestrated by the pehR regulator in pathogenicity and virulence development. Moreover, it sheds light on the broader regulatory network controlled by pehR and its underlying molecular mechanisms. Our work also underscores the identification of key target genes regulated by pehR within R. solanacearum F1C1, offering a deeper understanding of its role in bacterial pathogenicity. Ultimately, unraveling the complete pehR regulome holds promise for elucidating the regulatory dynamics driving the pathogenic behavior of R. solanacearum F1C1. To explore the influence of the pehR transcriptional regulator on the expression patterns of the R. solanacearum F1C1 gene, we initially developed a pehR mutant utilizing the lacZ insertion mutation technique. We employed an RNA-Seq methodology to profile the transcriptome of both the pehR mutant and the wildtype strain. RNA samples were extracted from both strains during the logarithmic growth phase in BG medium at 28°C. After ensuring the samples met quality standards, we proceeded to sequence them using Illumina sequencing technology.