Article
The EPS-I exopolysaccharide transforms Ralstonia wilt pathogen biofilms into viscoelastic fluids for rapid dissemination in planta.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America - 27 Jan 2026
Cope-Arguello Matthew L, Li Jiayu, Konkel Zachary, Aoun Nathalie, Cowell Tabitha, Wagner Nicholas, Han Chan A Li, Chu Lan Thanh, Wang Samantha, Carter Mariama D, Allen Caitilyn, Caverly Lindsay J, Bui Loan, DeAngelis Kristen M, Wargo Matthew J, Tran Tuan M, Jacobs Jonathan M, Manikantan Harishankar, Lowe-Power Tiffany M
Abstract excerpt
Ralstonia solanacearum species complex (RSSC) pathogens cause destructive plant wilt diseases of a wide variety of crops, leading to significant agricultural losses worldwide. These bacteria rapidly spread through the water-transporting xylem where they grow prolifically and produce abundant biofilm that clogs xylem vessels. To understand RSSC biofilm behavior in planta, we examined their complex fluid mechanics....
Topics
- Biofilms
- Polysaccharides, Bacterial
- Plant Diseases
- Ralstonia solanacearum
- Xylem
- Viscosity
- Virulence
- Mutation
- Virulence Factors