GENOMIC FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH PSEUDOMONAS VIRULENCE AND ANTAGONISM

Abstract

The longstanding problem with culture-dependent methods has been a reliance on pre-enrichment/enrichment steps which often comprise within them background microbial flora capable of outcompeting the target organism. Here, the genomic factors associated with Pseudomonas virulence and antagonism were studied in strains from selective media where it was shown to outcompete Salmonella, the target organism. 34 Pseudomonas strains of various species were sequenced and annotated. Results identified quorum sensing (QS) as the main factor of driving virulence and antagonism through the recruitment the type VI secretion system (T6SS). Additionally, two potential effectors corresponding to DUF 4225 and 4280 were found along with P.fluorescens strains containing the Pseudomonas virulence factor (PVF). These results may be valuable in the development of new strategies to better circumvent the effects of Pseudomonas in cultures.