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Open AccessReview
The Role of Genomic Islands in the Pathogenicity and Evolution of Plant-Pathogenic Gammaproteobacteria
by
Yuta Watanabe
Yuta Watanabe 1,
Yasuhiro Ishiga
Yasuhiro Ishiga 2,*
and
Nanami Sakata
Nanami Sakata 1,3,*
1
The Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, 1-1-1 Tsushima-naka, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-8530, Japan
2
Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba 305-8572, Japan
3
Faculty of Agriculture, Okayama University, 1-1-1 Tsushima-naka, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-8530, Japan
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Microorganisms 2025, 13(8), 1803; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13081803 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 30 June 2025
/
Revised: 30 July 2025
/
Accepted: 30 July 2025
/
Published: 1 August 2025
Abstract
Genomic islands (GIs) including integrative and conjugative elements (ICEs), prophages, and integrative plasmids are central drivers of horizontal gene transfer in bacterial plant pathogens. These elements often carry cargo genes encoding virulence factors, antibiotic and metal resistance determinants, and metabolic functions that enhance environmental adaptability. In plant-pathogenic species such as Pseudomonas syringae, GIs contribute to host specificity, immune evasion, and the emergence of novel pathogenic variants. ICEclc and its homologs represent integrative and mobilizable elements whose tightly regulated excision and transfer are driven by a specialized transcriptional cascade, while ICEs in P. syringae highlight the ecological impact of cargo genes on pathogen virulence and fitness. Pathogenicity islands further modulate virulence gene expression in response to in planta stimuli. Beyond P. syringae, GIs in genera such as Erwinia, Pectobacterium, and Ralstonia underpin critical traits like toxin biosynthesis, secretion system acquisition, and topoisomerase-mediated stability. Leveraging high-throughput genomics and structural biology will be essential to dissect GI regulation and develop targeted interventions to curb disease spread. This review synthesizes the current understanding of GIs in plant-pathogenic gammaproteobacteria and outlines future research priorities for translating mechanistic insights into sustainable disease control strategies.
Share and Cite
MDPI and ACS Style
Watanabe, Y.; Ishiga, Y.; Sakata, N.
The Role of Genomic Islands in the Pathogenicity and Evolution of Plant-Pathogenic Gammaproteobacteria. Microorganisms 2025, 13, 1803.
https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13081803
AMA Style
Watanabe Y, Ishiga Y, Sakata N.
The Role of Genomic Islands in the Pathogenicity and Evolution of Plant-Pathogenic Gammaproteobacteria. Microorganisms. 2025; 13(8):1803.
https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13081803
Chicago/Turabian Style
Watanabe, Yuta, Yasuhiro Ishiga, and Nanami Sakata.
2025. "The Role of Genomic Islands in the Pathogenicity and Evolution of Plant-Pathogenic Gammaproteobacteria" Microorganisms 13, no. 8: 1803.
https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13081803
APA Style
Watanabe, Y., Ishiga, Y., & Sakata, N.
(2025). The Role of Genomic Islands in the Pathogenicity and Evolution of Plant-Pathogenic Gammaproteobacteria. Microorganisms, 13(8), 1803.
https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13081803
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