Xylose Isomerase Depletion Enhances Virulence of subsp. in .

Citrus canker, caused by the bacterium (Xcc), is one of the most devastating diseases for the citrus industry. Xylose is a constituent of the cell wall of plants, and the ability of Xcc to use this carbohydrate may play a role in virulence. Xcc has two genes codifying for xylose isomerase (XI), a bifunctional enzyme that interconverts D-xylose into D-xylulose and D-glucose into D-fructose.

Periplasm-enriched fractions from Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri type A and X. fuscans subsp. aurantifolii type B present distinct proteomic profiles under in vitro pathogenicity induction.

The causative agent of Asiatic citrus canker, the Gram-negative bacterium Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri (XAC), produces more severe symptoms and attacks a larger number of citric hosts than Xanthomonas fuscans subsp. aurantifolii XauB and XauC, the causative agents of cancrosis, a milder form of the disease.