Fig. 4
Tal2 contribution to virulence of Xss-V2–18 on cotton variety TM-1. a Phenotypes of the mutant strains relative to wild-type Xss-V2–18. Wild-type (WT) and mutant strains were inoculated to the lower surface of cotton leaves (two-week-old plants) using a needleless syringe. Infiltration with simply 10 mM MgCl2 served as a mock. Phenotypes were observed 3–5 days post-inoculation. bIn planta growth of WT Xss-V2–18 and mutants. Growth was measured at 0, 2, 4, and 6 days post-inoculation. Error bars represent means and standard deviations (means ± SD), and columns labeled with different letters represent significant differences (P < 0.05). c Western blot analysis of TALE production in Xcm M2. Plasmid pHZW-tal2 was transferred into Xcm M2 by electroporation. Production of TALE was analyzed by western blotting using an anti-FLAG primary antibody (see Methods). RNA polymerase subunit alpha (RNAP) from E. coli, was used as a loading control. d Symptoms in cotton leaves inoculated with Xss-V2–18, mutant M2, M2 containing empty vector and M2 containing tal2 in trans. Bacterial strains were inoculated to cotton leaves using a needleless syringe, and phenotypes were observed within 5–7 days post-inoculation. eIn planta growth of the WT Xss-V2–18, mutant M2 and complemented strain. Growth was measured at 0, 2, 4, and 6 days post-inoculation. Error bars represent means and standard deviations (means ± SD), and columns labeled with different letters represent significant differences (P < 0.05)