Type III secretion system genes hrcJ and hrpE affect virulence, hypersensitive response and biofilm formation of group II strains of Acidovorax citrulli

Bacterial fruit blotch (BFB) caused by Acidovorax citrulli is a worldwide threat to watermelon and melon production. The type III secretion system (T3SS) plays an important role in the virulence of A. its host plants induce hypersensitive response (HR) non-host plants. Little known, however, about contribution T3SS biofilm formation . We mutated two T3SS-related genes hrcJ hrpE , respectively, compared mutants with their wild-type strain Aac-5 complementation strains on virulence, HR, formation. Both significantly reduced seedlings ability HR tobacco leaves. Such reduction phenotypes were recovered level, when mutant complemented genes. Interestingly, gene also displayed enhanced form biofilm, suggesting different group II stains