Pseudomonas protegens
can serve as an agricultural biocontrol agent.
P. protegens
often encounters hyperosmotic stress during industrial production and field application. The ability of
P. protegens
to withstand hyperosmotic stress is important for its application as a biocontrol agent. AlgU is a global regulator responsible for stress response and biocontrol ability. However, the specific regulatory role of AlgU in the hyperosmotic adaptation of
P. protegens
is poorly understood. In this study, we found that the AlgU mutation disrupted the hyperosmotic tolerance of
P. protegens
. Many genes and metabolites related to cell envelope formation were significantly downregulated in Δ
algU
compared with that in the wild-type (WT) strain under hyperosmotic conditions, and we found that the
algU
mutation caused membrane integrity to be compromised and increased membrane permeability. Further experiments revealed that the cell envelope integrity protein TolA, which is regulated by AlgU, contributes to cell membrane stability and osmotic tolerance in
P. protegens
. In addition, several genes related to oxidative stress response were significantly downregulated in Δ
algU
, and higher levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species were found in Δ
algU
. Furthermore, we found that the synthesis of N-acetyl glutaminyl glutamine amide is directly regulated by AlgU and contributes to the hyperosmotic adaptation of
P. protegens
. This study revealed the mechanisms of AlgU’s participation in osmotic tolerance in
P. protegens
, and it provides potential molecular targets for research on the hyperosmotic adaptation of
P. protegens
.
IMPORTANCE
In this study, we found that the extracytoplasmic function sigma factor AlgU is essential for the survival of
P. protegens
under hyperosmotic conditions. We provided evidence supporting the roles of AlgU in influencing cell membrane stability, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, and dipeptide N-acetylglutaminylglutamine amide (NAGGN) synthesis in
P. protegens
under hyperosmotic conditions. Our findings revealed the mechanisms of AlgU’s participation in hyperosmotic stress tolerance in
P. protegens,
and they provide potential molecular targets for research on the hyperosmotic adaptation of
P. protegens
, which is of value in improving the biocontrol ability of
P. protegens
.
