Phytopathogenic strategies of Rhodococcus fascians

Rhodococcus fascians is the only described phytopathogen in the genus and it induces a constellation of shooty symptoms on a very large range of plants. The main virulence factors, cytokinins, and functions that mediate more subtle aspects of the interaction with the host are encoded by the linear plasmid that shares a common origin with other rhodococcal linear replicons. The chromosome also plays an important role in the lifestyle of the bacterium. Chromosomal pathways are involved in producing auxin, delivering substrates for cytokinin production, and metabolizing nutrients retrieved from infected plants. The colonization of the plant tissues together with the secretion of various morphogens leads to a cascade of molecular responses that ultimately result in the establishment of disease symptoms, known as leafy galls