Prospecting, cloning and expression of genes of Burkholderia sp. with potential to phytopathogens control

Abstract

The genus Burkholderia is a Gram-negative bacteria, that present a high physiological and genetic diversity. Bacteria belonging to this genus are currently being subject to studies and have been widely used for many biotechnological applications, such as agricultural management (biocontrol agents, plant growth promoters), in bioremediation/biodegradation and as producer of important industrial, medicine and agriculture important molecules. In a previous study (Proc. FAPESP no.2008/52407-9), a mutant library was generated using the Burkholderia cenocepacea strain TC3.4.2R3. This bacterium was previously isolated endophytically from roots sugarcane (Proc. FAPESP 2002/14143-3), and used to control of plant pathogenic fungi and bacteria, as well as antibiotic producer. Some mutants, defective to pathogens control, were characterized showing that some genes close to putative pyocin, patatin, modification enzymes and transcriptional factors are related to antimicrobial activity and defense responses in plants. Thus, this project aims to contribute to a better understanding of the involvement of these B. cenocepacea genes in biological process related to pathogens control and synthesis of bioactivity molecules. For this, the complete Tn5 franking DNA will be sequenced, the putative ORFS will be identified, cloned and expressed. The proteins will be purified and partially characterized. These molecules and genes, if better characterized, could contribute to development of applicable products and using appropriate technologies the generation of agricultural formulations, recombinant micro-organisms, genetically modified plants, among other applications.