Xanthoferrin is an α-hydroxycarboxylate-type of siderophore produced by

xanthomonad The Xanthomonadales are a bacterial order within the Gammaproteobacteria. They are one of the largest groups of bacterial phytopathogens, harbouring species such as ''Xanthomonas citri'', ''Xanthomonas euvesicatoria'', ''Xanthomonas oryzae'' and ...

s. '' Xanthomonas'' spp. secrete xanthoferrin to chelate iron under low-iron conditions. The xanthoferrin siderophore mediated iron uptake supports bacterial growth under iron-restricted environment.

Origin

The xanthoferrin term was coined first time for the unique siderophore produced by ''Xanthomonas'' ''campestris'' pv. campestris 8004, a member of '' Xanthomonas'' group of plant pathogens.

Xanthoferrin producing organisms

The xanthoferrin siderophores are reportedly produced by ''Xanthomonas'' ''campestris'' pathovars, ''Xanthomonas'' ''orayzae'' pv. oryzae, ''Xanthomonas'' ''citri'' pathovars, and ''Xanthomonas'' ''oryzae'' pv. oryzicola. However, the xanthoferrin synthesis genes are conserved throughout the members of '' Xanthomonas'' group of plant pathogens and several other bacteria like ''Vibrio'' spp. but the xanthoferrin or similar siderophores productions in many of them are yet to be investigated.

Role of xanthoferrin in virulence

The role of xanthoferrin in virulence varies among different ''Xanthomonas'' spp. Xanthoferrin mediated iron uptake contributes to the optimum virulence of ''Xanthomonas oryzicola'' and ''Xanthomonas campestris'' on their respective hosts but does not play any role in the virulence of ''Xanthomonas oryzae''.

References

{{reflist Siderophores Alpha hydroxy acids