Specialization of independently acquired flagellar FliC proteins in plant-associated Sphingomonas balances swimming and immunogenicity

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Volume 123, Number 13, March 2026.
ImportanceThe bacterial flagellum controls microbial motility and surface attachment. Some flagella contain a flg22 peptide epitope recognized by the plant immune receptor FLS2. This immune surveillance creates a compromise between the flagellars…