An orphan LuxR regulator controls plant developmental reprogramming during interaction with Novosphingobium resinovorum HR1a

LuxR874 in Novosphingobium resinovorum HR1a is linked to a stronger plant root developmental program during gnotobiotic interaction, including reduced primary root elongation and more root hairs.

• Why it matters: Rhizoremediation relies on plant–microbe signaling, but the bacterial regulators that tune host physiology are not well defined.
• What they did: Transcriptomics showed LuxR874 controls genes for aromatic and sugar metabolism and acylCoA-related functions; in gnotobiotic systems, a luxR874 mutant produced attenuated root phenotypes despite similar colonization.
• The result: Plant RNA-seq indicated extensive LuxR874-dependent host reprogramming, with weaker responses in luxR874-inoculated plants and functional support for LuxR874-linked reactive oxygen species and ethylene pathways.

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