Identification of response regulator genes of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae involved in the c-di-GMP signaling

Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) is responsible for bacterial blight, a serious and destructive rice disease. Xoo genome analysis has indicated that this pathogenic bacterium encodes several proteins forming two-component signal transduction systems (TCSTSs). Two proteins, a sensor kinase and a response regulator form a classical TCSTS. Response regulators display a variety of functions including enzymatic activities. The Cyclic-di-GMP (c-di-GMP) participates in the signaling pathway operative in the members of Genus Xanthomonas. The present work aimed to identify the Xoo response regulators putatively participating in the c-di-GMP signaling. Proteins having HD-GYP and EAL domains display c-di-GMP phosphodiesterase activity directed towards degradation of the c-di-GMP. Proteins having PleD (GGDEF) domain act as di-guanylate cyclases that participate in the synthesis of c-di-GMP synthesis. In silico analyses have been performed on the available genome of the BXO1 strain of Xoo to identify response regulator genes having HD-GYP/EAL/GGDEF domains. The present work has revealed the presence of several response regulator genes of Xoo that might be controlling the c-di-GMP-dependent signaling.