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| DOI | Resolve DOI: https://doi.org/10.1128/jb.00292-25 |
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| Author | Search for: Morales Moreira, Zayda P.ORCID identifier: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7993-883X; Search for: Kak, Kareena; Search for: Wei, Zi-WangORCID identifier: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9799-9938; Search for: Yanez-Ortuno, DanielaORCID identifier: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-9167-8776; Search for: Wang, Nicole R.ORCID identifier: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8368-3270; Search for: Hedges, Jason B.; Search for: Chen, Melissa Y.; Search for: Geissmann, QuentinORCID identifier: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6546-4306; Search for: Zhang, Wentao1ORCID identifier: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4301-1597; Search for: Chatterton, Syama; Search for: Ryan, Katherine S.ORCID identifier: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1643-1940; Search for: Haney, Cara H.ORCID identifier: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6099-6677 |
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| Editor | Search for: O'Toole, George |
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| Affiliation | - National Research Council Canada. Aquatic and Crop Resource Development
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| Funder | Search for: University of British Columbia; Search for: Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada. Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship; Search for: Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada; Search for: National Research Council Canada |
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| Format | Text, Article |
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| Subject | root rot; nitroimidazole antibiotics; Aphanomyces euteiches; Pisum sativum |
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| Abstract | Members of the genus Pseudomonas synthesize diverse natural products that contribute to their versatility in free-living and host-associated lifestyles. Here, we characterized the in vivo functions of the nitroimidazole antibiotic azomycin in the genus Pseudomonas . We found that genes with similarity to azomycin biosynthesis genes rohPQRST are prevalent within the Pseudomonas syringae species complex and rarely present in the Pseudomonas fluorescens species complex. Azomycin production was detectable in culture by biocontrol strains Pseudomonas spp. DF41 and CMR5a. Pseudomonas sp. DF41 exhibited anti-oomycete activity that was lost in a ∆rohPQRST mutant. Purified azomycin was sufficient to kill the oomycete pathogens Aphanomyces and Phytophthora . Although DF41 has been studied for its role in biocontrol of plant pathogens, we found that azomycin exhibited phytotoxicity against Pisum sativum (pea) plants at similar concentrations to those that inhibited oomycetes. However, consistent with its use as a biocontrol agent, Pseudomonas sp. DF41 only produced azomycin in planta when pea plants were infected with the oomycete pathogen Aphanomyces euteiches . Our findings suggest dual roles for azomycin in Pseudomonas, functioning both as a biocontrol agent of oomycete pathogens, as well as a phytotoxic molecule with a potential role in plant virulence. IMPORTANCE While many natural products are studied for their roles in the treatment of plant or human disease, the ecological functions of natural products are understudied. We found that an antibiotic, azomycin, is produced by Pseudomonas species and has toxicity against both plants and oomycete pathogens. Our findings suggest a complex ecological role of azomycin production by Pseudomonas in both the amelioration and exacerbation of plant disease. |
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| Date published | 2025-11-05 |
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| Publisher | American Society for Microbiology |
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| Copyright statement | - © 2025 Morales Moreira et al.
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| Licence | |
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| In | |
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| Language | English |
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| Peer reviewed | Yes |
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| Export citation | Export as RIS |
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| Report a correction | Report a correction (opens in a new tab) |
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| Record identifier | 12f1496b-5b5f-4c66-b0d5-084a48375b81 |
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| Record created | 2026-05-12 |
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| Record modified | 2026-06-24 |
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