The structure of the exopolysaccharide fraction from Pseudomonas savastanoi strain ITM519 and the defence-response it induces in non-hosts plants

Abstract

The main exopolysaccharide (EPS) obtained from the phytopathogenic bacterium Pseudomonas savastanoi pv. nerii, strain ITM519, has a very complex highly branched structure consisting of fucose, galactose, Nacetylgalactosamine and N-acetylglucosamine. EPS triggers a defence response in non-host plant cells. This capability could be a consequence of the complex and heterogeneous structure of the molecule, part of which might mimic elicitors produced in the plant–pathogen interaction.