CLONING AND CHARACTERIZATION OF THE RPFC GENE OF XANTHOMONAS-ORYZAE PV ORYZAE - INVOLVEMENT IN EXOPOLYSACCHARIDE PRODUCTION AND VIRULENCE TO RICE

rpfC is one of a cluster of genes which coordinately regulate the synt hesis of extracellular enzymes and exopolysaccharide and pathogenicity in Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris, the black rot pathogen of b rassicas. An rpfC homolog which could functionally complement an rpfC mutant of X. campestris pv. campestris was identified in Xanthomonas o ryzae pv. oryzae and the gene was characterized, Mutation of this gene in X. oryzae pv. oryzae had no effect on extracellular enzymes, but e xopolysaccharide synthesis and virulence to rice were substantially re duced.