Interactions between commensal bacteria and plant immune systems

Introduction

Commensal bacteria are a prominent and diverse community of bacteria that act on their host’s immune system in order to induce responses that prevent invasion and growth of pathogens. In humans, commensal bacteria often inhabit mucous membranes and epidermal surfaces. They also play an integral role in helping to protect their host from respiratory pathogens . In addition to preventing pathogens from colonizing their host, commensal bacteria are also able to help regulate the immune system, and educate it in distinguishing pathogenic bacteria. There has been a lot of research done on the diverse yet crucial roles that the trillions of commensal bacteria in humans play. There exist diverse and large communities of these bacteria in plants as well. However, their role, transmission, and interactions with the plants, in particular their immune system, is still being studied. In plants, much research is being done in how these bacteria interact with the root immune system, as they seem to play a large role in protecting the plant from pathogens, despite many containing the microbe associated molecular patterns(MAMPs) that should elicit an immune response from the host. Further research is also being performed on topics such as host preference, bacterial response to environmental stressors, and what genetic components allow the commensal bacteria to protect the host plant.

Electron micrograph of the Ebola Zaire virus. This was the first photo ever taken of the virus, on 10/13/1976. By Dr. F.A. Murphy, now at U.C. Davis, then at the CDC.[1].

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Legend/credit: Electron micrograph of the Ebola Zaire virus. This was the first photo ever taken of the virus, on 10/13/1976. By Dr. F.A. Murphy, now at U.C. Davis, then at the CDC.
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Section 1 Microbiome

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Response to Stress

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Section 2 Genetics

Suppressing plant immune system

In a given plant, there is often a multitude of commensal bacterias that have beneficial effects on the host’s health.(1) In order to combat invasive pathogens, the plant immune system implements biochemical responses after recognizing a microbial molecule based on its microbe-associated molecular pattern, or MAMP, in a process called MAMP triggered immunity. The commensal bacteria that reside in and aid the host plants, often have the same MAMPs that would trigger an immune response against a harmful pathogen.(15)Many studies have been performed in an attempt to understand why, despite having these patterns, commensal microbes don’t elicit the same immune response as other pathogens. Recent studies have suggested that commensal bacteria have evolved the ability to suppress MAMP triggered immunity, also known as MTI. One experiment found that commensal strains such as P. simiae WCS417 and Bacillus subtilis FB17 could suppress MAMP response genes in arabidopsis roots.(17) This supports the findings of other studies, which have suggested that commensal microbes can interfere with specific parts of the plant immune response.(16)Furthermore, studies indicate that the ability to suppress the host plant’s immune system has actually evolved multiple times in commensal bacteria, suggesting that there are numerous mechanisms for suppressing immune response in the bacteria.(16)Other studies have suggested that it is because commensal bacteria avoid damage to the cell, a signal that enhances immune response in root tissues, that they are able to colonize the plant.(18)There is still much that is being studied in how commensals are able to colonize plants, however, it does appear that there is evidence to suggest that their ability to interfere with MTI stems primarily from nonspecific strategies, as commensals seem to express a much lower degree of host specification.(16)

Host Preference

Even among plant species that live in identical environments, the roots are oftentimes colonized by entirely distinct communities of bacteria.(19) One study compared communities across very different land plants, and found that there was a separation by host plant species despite there being conversion among higher ranks of taxonomy.(20)Despite extensive research, it is still not entirely known whether certain commensal are simply adapted to a specific plant species, or if plants are able to actively select for a certain type of commensal.(19)However, there is still much research being performed in this area, such as one study that looked to investigate host preference of commensal communities. The results of this study suggested that commensals adapt to host features based on their respective genera.(19)However, other studies have suggested that instead, host preference patterns were based on ecological fitting, and the ability of a bacteria to colonize and survive with their already possessed traits. (21)

Conclusion

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References

Edited by Ethan Liu, student of Joan Slonczewski for BIOL 116 Information in Living Systems, 2022, Kenyon College.