USE OF THE E. COLI a-HEMOLYSIN SECRETION SYSTEM IN BACTERIA DESIGNED FOR SYMBIOTIC CONTROL OF PIERCES DISEASE IN GRAPEVINES AND SHARPSHOOTERS

• Author(s): Lampe, David; Lauzon, Carol; Miller, Thomas;
• Abstract: Strains of Alcaligenes xylosoxidans denitrificans (Axd) that secrete anti-Xylella factors are being developed for use in a strategy to prevent the spread of Xf or possibly to cure infected grapevines. We built constructs that fused the last 60 amino acids of the autotransporter a-hemolysin from E. coli to test proteins. These were two different forms of anti-BSA single chain antibodies (scFvs) which are surrogates for anti-Xylella effector proteins. These proteins were efficiently secreted from E. coli when co-expressed with the proteins HlyB and HlyD. HlyB, HlyD, and TolC together form the membrane structure used by a-hemolysin to cross both the inner and outer membrane of the cell. We report here on efforts to move this system into Axd, a species not closely-related to E. coli, but that can survive in both grapevine and sharpshooters.
• Publication Date: Nov 2006
• Journal: 2006 Pierce's Disease Research Symposium