Identification and Characterization of the Erwinia amylovora rpoS Gene: RpoS Is Not Involved in Induction of Fireblight Disease Symptoms

The Erwinia amylovora rpoS gene, encoding the alternative sigma factor RpoS, has been cloned and characterized. Though highly sensitive to a number of environmental stresses, an E. amylovora rpoS mutant was not compromised in its ability to grow or cause disease symptoms within apple seedlings or in an overwintering model.