Isolation and Characterization of Pectolytic Nonpathogenic Mutants of Erwinia Carotovora Subsp. Carotovora (Ecc)

Abstract

Using Mudl mutagenesis forty seven prototrophic mutants of Erwinia carotovora were obtained which were severely impaired in their pathogenicity. Although most of these mutants were impaired in secretion of either pectate lyase or polygalacturonase, four mutants were not impaired in synthesis or secretion of either of these enzymes. Results indicate that several gene products including those which regulate the synthesis and secretion of pectolytic enzymes are involved in pathogenicity of E. carotovora.