We present draft genome sequences for three strains of Xanthomonas species, each of which was associated with banana plants (Musa species) but is not closely related to the previously sequenced banana-pathogen Xanthomonas campestris pathovar musacearum. Strain NCPPB4393 had been deposited as Xanthomonas campestris pathovar musacearum but in fact falls within the species Xanthomonas sacchari. St...

Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri is a phytopathogenic bacterium responsible for citrus canker, a serious disease which causes severe losses in citriculture around the world. In this study we report the differential expression of X. axonopodis pv. citri in response to specific treatments by using Representational Difference Analysis of cDNA (cDNA RDA). cDNAs from X. axonopodis pv. citri cultured...

Inovirus XacF1 (7325 nucleotides) is integrated into the genome of Xanthomonas citri pv. citri (Xcc) strains at the host dif site (attB) by the host XerC/D recombination system. The XacF1 attP sequence is located within the coding region of ORF12, a possible phage regulator. After integration, this open reading frame (ORF) is split into two pieces on the host genome. We examined dynamic integra...

The nucleotide sequence was determined for the genome of Xanthomonas oryzae pathovar oryzae (Xoo) KACC10331, a bacterium that causes bacterial blight in rice (Oryza sativa L.). The genome is comprised of a single, 4 941 439 bp, circular chromosome that is G + C rich (63.7%). The genome includes 4637 open reading frames (ORFs) of which 3340 (72.0%) could be assigned putative function. Orthologs ...

The study of small heat shock proteins in plant-pathogen interactions is a subject that has to be further investigated. While Hsp70 and Hsp90 participate in the defense response, the role of this small Hsps remains elusive. In this work we analyzed the expression of small Hsps in citrus canker and the bacterial spot of pepper as well as in the incompatible interactions of the bacterial pathogen...

Bacterial type III secretion systems deliver protein virulence factors to host cells. Here we characterize the interaction between HrpB2, a small protein secreted by the Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri type III secretion system, and the cytosolic domain of the inner membrane protein HrcU, a paralog of the flagellar protein FlhB. We show that a recombinant fragment corresponding to the C-terminal...

The uptake of maltose and related sugars in Gram-negative bacteria is mediated by an ABC transporter encompassing a periplasmic component (the maltose-binding protein or MalE), a pore-forming membrane protein (MalF and MalG) and a membrane-associated ATPase (MalK). In the present study, the structure determination of the apo form of the putative maltose/trehalose-binding protein (Xac-MalE) from...

Spiroplasma citri is a plant pathogenic mollicute transmitted by the leafhopper vector Circulifer haematoceps. Successful transmission requires the spiroplasmas to cross the intestinal epithelium and salivary gland barriers through endocytosis mediated by receptor-ligand interactions. To characterize these interactions we studied the adhesion and invasion capabilities of a S. citri mutant using...

Pathogens interaction with a host plant starts a set of immune responses that result in complex changes in gene expression and plant physiology. Light is an important modulator of plant defense response and recent studies have evidenced the novel influence of this environmental stimulus in the virulence of several bacterial pathogens. Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri is the bacterium responsible ...