Here we report the surprising and, to our knowledge, unique example of horizontal interkingdom transfer of a human opportunistic pathogen (Propionibacterium acnes) to a crop plant (the domesticated grapevine Vitis vinifera L.). Humans, like most organisms, have established a long-lasting cohabitation with a variety of microbes, including pathogens and gut-associated bacteria. Studies which have investigated the dynamics of such associations revealed numerous cases of bacterial host switches from domestic animals to humans. Much less is, however, known about the exchange of microbial symbionts between humans and plants. Fluorescent in-situ hybridization localized P. acnes in the bark, in xylem fibers, and, more interestingly, inside pith tissues. Phylogenetic and population genetic analyses suggest that the establishment of the grapevine-associated P. acnes as obligate endophyte is compatible with a recent transfer event, likely during the Neolithic, when grapevine was domesticated.

Campisano, A.; Ometto, L.; Compant, S.; Pancher, M.; Antonielli, L.; Varotto, C.; Anfora, G.; Pertot, I.; Sessitsch, A.; Rota Stabelli, O. (2014). Interkingdom transfer of the acne causing agent, Propionibacterium acnes, from human to grapevine. MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION, 31 (5): 1059-1065. doi: 10.1093/molbev/msu075 handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10449/23072

Interkingdom transfer of the acne causing agent, Propionibacterium acnes, from human to grapevine

Campisano, Andrea;Ometto, Lino;Pancher, Michael;Antonielli, Livio;Varotto, Claudio;Anfora, Gianfranco;Pertot, Ilaria;Rota Stabelli, Omar
2014-01-01

Abstract

Here we report the surprising and, to our knowledge, unique example of horizontal interkingdom transfer of a human opportunistic pathogen (Propionibacterium acnes) to a crop plant (the domesticated grapevine Vitis vinifera L.). Humans, like most organisms, have established a long-lasting cohabitation with a variety of microbes, including pathogens and gut-associated bacteria. Studies which have investigated the dynamics of such associations revealed numerous cases of bacterial host switches from domestic animals to humans. Much less is, however, known about the exchange of microbial symbionts between humans and plants. Fluorescent in-situ hybridization localized P. acnes in the bark, in xylem fibers, and, more interestingly, inside pith tissues. Phylogenetic and population genetic analyses suggest that the establishment of the grapevine-associated P. acnes as obligate endophyte is compatible with a recent transfer event, likely during the Neolithic, when grapevine was domesticated.
Symbiosis
Pathogen
Endophyte
Propionibacterium acnes
recA
Simbiosi
Patogeno
Endofiti
Propionibacterium acnes
recA
Settore BIO/19 - MICROBIOLOGIA GENERALE
2014
Campisano, A.; Ometto, L.; Compant, S.; Pancher, M.; Antonielli, L.; Varotto, C.; Anfora, G.; Pertot, I.; Sessitsch, A.; Rota Stabelli, O. (2014). Interkingdom transfer of the acne causing agent, Propionibacterium acnes, from human to grapevine. MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION, 31 (5): 1059-1065. doi: 10.1093/molbev/msu075 handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10449/23072
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