Type III effectors xopN and avrBS2 contribute to the virulence of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzicola strain GX01.

Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzicola (Xoc) depends on its type III secretion system (T3SS) to translocate type III secreted effectors (T3SEs), including transcription activator-like effectors (TALEs) and non-transcription activator-like effectors (non-TALEs), into host cells. T3SEs can promote the colonization of Xoc and contribute to virulence by manipulating host cell physiology. We annotated 25 genes encoding non-TALEs in Xoc strain GX01, an isolate from Guangxi in the South China's rice growing region. Through systematic mutagenesis of non-TALEs, we found that xopN, the virulence contribution of which was previously unknown for Xoc, significantly contributes to the virulence of Xoc GX01, as does avrBs2.