Araújo, Wellington L, André O.S. Lima, Walter Macheroni Jr., Maria H.P. Fungaro, Fernando D. Andreote, Leonardo A. Souza, Paulo T. Lacava, João L. Azevedo. BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF PLANT DISEASE BY ENDOPHYTIC BACTERIA EXPRESSING A HETEROLOGOUS PROTEIN FROM BACILLUS SP.
Dep. Genetics- ESALQ- University of São Paulo, Lab. Genetics of Microorganismos, Av. Padua Dias, 11 - Caixa Postal 83, Piracicaba, SP, 13418-900, Brazil (anoslima@carpa.ciagri.usp.br)
The biological control of pathogens in crops may reduce the environmental impact produced by the chemicals applied in the crop fields. In this sense, our approach of biologic control is based in the use of endophytic microorganisms. These organisms are those that live at least one phase of their life inside plants without causing any symptoms to the vegetal. The present study is focused on the use of engineered endophytic bacteria expressing enzymes involved in the degradation of xanthan gum, which could be related to pathogenicity of Xylela fastidiosa. The establishment and colonization pattern of some endophytic bacteria in citrus were studied and the presence of a cryptic plasmid was evaluated. A small plasmid found in several isolates of the endophytic Pantoea agglomerans was sequenced and modified in order to express the protein of interested, using GFP as a marker.