Discovery of a wide variety of α-1,6-cyclized β-1,2-glucan synthases: a new entrance for host-microbe interactions.

Abstract

-1,6-Cyclized {beta}-1,2-glucans (C{beta}G) are established virulence factors in Xanthomonas, yet functional breadth and distribution of C{beta}Gs in nature have remained unclear. Here, we biochemically identified enzymes synthesizing C{beta}Gs with specific chain lengths, exhibiting potential natural occurrence of various C{beta}Gs. Structural analyses identify subtle variations in a loop, named Loop X, as a key determinant of product size, leading to understanding of the whole picture of the mechanism that controls the sizes. We further demonstrated that C{beta}G composed of 13 glucose units contributes to plant-virulence in Ralstonia pseudosolanacearum, expanding the functional scope of virulence-associated cyclic glucans. Overall, it provides the potential targets for regulating various plant-microbe interactions and also serves as a vital lead to discovering unknown host-microbe interactions with significant potential for agricultural applications.