Identification and characterization of two transcriptional regulators in Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzicola YM15

Bacterial leaf streak disease caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. Oryzicola (Xoc) is a serious threat to rice production worldwide. Like most bacterial phytopathogens, Xoc also contains multiple regulators involved in the complex regulatory networks to ensure its virulence. In this study, we found two genes, FE36_09860 and FE36_06255, through quantitative fluorescence PCR essential for Xoc virulence and might be regulated by the diffusible signal factor (DSF) and the global regulator (Clp). We evaluated the characteristics of the TetR family (FE36_09860) and Fur family (FE36_06255) transcriptional regulator genes in in-vitro and in-vivo experiments. Results demonstrated that the deletion of two transcriptional regulators genes, FE36_09860 and FE36_06255, reduced the virulence of Xoc. Further analysis revealed that the deletion of the FE36_06255 gene results in decreased EPS production, elevated biofilm formation and reactive oxygen species production, and maintained the growth rate of Xoc YM15. In contrast, the deletion of FE36_09860 showed an opposite trend. It is concluded that, as transcriptional regulators, the FE36_09860 and FE36_06255 genes played an important role in the biological processes of Xoc YM15 and were essential for its virulence.