Practice question
Question
Which molecule activates VirA sensor kinase in Agrobacterium?
Explanation
Agrobacterium detects wounded dicot tissues through phenolic metabolites released from lignin biosynthesis. Acetosyringone, a hydroxy-dimethoxy acetophenone, serves as most potent chemoattractant and virulence inducer. It binds periplasmic domain of membrane histidine kinase VirA at acidic pH near 5.5, promoting autophosphorylation. Phosphorylated VirA transfers phosphate to cytoplasmic regulator VirG, activating transcription of all vir operons. Monosaccharides sensed via ChvE synergistically enhance induction. Salicylic acid, auxin, and opines lack this inducing activity; opines are actually products synthesized after successful T-DNA integration, not upstream signals.
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