Characterization of the fimA gene encoding bundle-forming fimbriae of the plant pathogen Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria

The Xanthomonas capestris fimA gene encoding the bundle-forming fimbriae and cell aggregation was analyzed to characterize the role of fimbriae in Xanthomonas capestris infections. The nucleotide sequence of the fimA gene of Xanthomonas campestris was composed of two open reading frames that encode FimA and FimB proteins. Mutations in the fimA gene also impaired cell aggregation and reduced the virulence of Xanthomonas campestris cells in infected tomato leaves.