Modulation of the endophytic strain Kosakonia radicincitans UYSO10 proteome by sugarcane roots exudate

Abstract Backgroun: Plant-associated microbiotas play a key role in plant health, growth, and stresses resilience. These microbiotas are considered the second plant genome by expanding its genetic potential. One of the main components of the plant microbiota is the endophytic bacterial communities, which live in the plant's internal tissues. The main sources of this microbiota are the seed and the soil where the plant grows. Particularly, soil bacteria are attracted by different signals present in plant root exudates, to later colonize the rhizoplane and infect internal tissues. Although the colonization and infection processes of endophytic bacteria are well documented, the molecular bases of the mechanisms involved in the plant-endophyte interaction are still poorly understood. Previously it was shown that strain Kosakonia radicincitans UYSO10 promotes the growth of sugarcane plants and was defined as a true endophyte. Moreover, it was demonstrated that the biological nitrogen fixation process is involved in the plant growth promotion observed. The aim of this work is to expand the knowledge about the possible mechanisms involved in the early stages of the interaction between the diazotrophic endophytic strain UYSO10 and sugarcane plants. Methodology: a proteomic approach was conducted in the strain UYSO10 exposed or not to sugarcane exudates. Results showed that in the presence of root exudates, strain UYSO10 senses the environment and adapts its proteome to transport and metabolize different nutrients, and to interact with the host plant. These results deepen the knowledge of the potential mechanisms involved in the early stage of plant-bacteria endophyte interaction.