Tomato-derived melatonin targets the CpxA/CpxR two-component system to inhibit virulence of pathogenic bacteria

This suggests that plants have evolved a metabolic regulatory mechanism that uses the recognition of melatonin by CpxA/R to specifically inhibit virulence of pathogenic bacteria. This study provides a new molecular model for understanding inter-kingdom signaling communication between host and pathogens. It also provides a theoretical basis for crop genetic improvement, identification of bacterial drug targets and the creation of biopesticides.