An iron fist in a velvet glove: The cooperation of a novel pyoverdine from Pseudomonas donghuensisP482 with 7‐hydroxytropolone is pivotal for its antibacterial activity

Abstract

Pseudomonas donghuensis P482 exhibits broad antimicrobial activity against phytopathogens, including the soft rot bacteria of the Dickeya genus. Here, we report that under limited nutrient availability, the antibacterial activity of P. donghuensis P482 against Dickeya solani requires the reciprocal action of two iron scavengers: 7‐hydroxytropolone (7‐HT) and a newly characterized pyoverdine (PVD_P482) and is quenched in the iron‐augmented environment. Further, we show that the biosynthesis of pyoverdine and 7‐HT is metabolically coordinated, and the functional BV82_4709 gene involved in 7‐HT synthesis is pivotal for expressing the BV82_3755 gene, essential for pyoverdine biosynthesis and vice versa. The synthesis of both scavengers is under the control of Gac/Rsm, but only PVD is controlled by Fur. The isoelectric focusing profile of the P482 siderophore differs from that of the other Pseudomonas spp. tested. This finding led to the unveiling of the chemical structure of the new pyoverdine PVD_P482. To summarize, the antibacterial activity of P. donghuensis P482 is attributed to 7‐HT and PVD_P482 varies depending on the nutrient and iron availability, highlighting the importance of these factors in the competition between P482 and D. solani.