RpoN1 and RpoN2 play different regulatory roles in virulence traits, flagellar biosynthesis, and basal metabolism in Xanthomonas campestris

Homologous regulatory factors are widely present in bacteria, but whether homologous regulators synergistically or differentially regulate different biological functions remains mostly unknown. Here, we report that the homologous regulators RpoN1 and RpoN2 of the plant pathogen Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (Xcc) play different regulatory roles with respect to virulence traits, flagellar biosynthesis, and basal metabolism. RpoN2 directly regulated Xcc fliC and fliQ to modulate flagellar synthesis in X. campestris, thus affecting the swimming motility of X. campestris. Mutation of rpoN2 resulted in reduced production of biofilms and extracellular polysaccharides in Xcc. These defects may together cause reduced virulence of the rpoN2 mutant against the host plant. Moreover, we demonstrated that RpoN1 could regulate branched-chain fatty acid production and modulate the synthesis of diffusible signal factor family quorum sensing signals. Although RpoN1 and RpoN2 are homologues, the regulatory roles and biological functions of these proteins were not interchangeable. Overall, our report provides new insights into the two different molecular roles that form the basis for the transcriptional specialization of RpoN homologues.