TccC is instrumental in <i>P. taiwanensis</i> persistence in the gut of <i>P. xylostella</i> and in invasion of the epithelium cells.

<p>(A) Comparison of colonization through bacteria persistence in <i>P. xylostella</i> larvae. After oral infection by <i>P. taiwanensis</i> wild-type strain and <i>tccC</i> mutant strain, the numbers of colony-forming-units (cfu) were calculated at different time points. (B) Gram stain of <i>P. xylostella</i> midgut tissue section was observed after oral infection by <i>P. taiwanensis</i> for 48 h. The epithelial cells were invaded and lysed by <i>P. taiwanensis</i>. At 48 h, <i>P. taiwanensis</i> crossed the epithelium barrier of midgut into the cells. <i>Pt</i>, <i>P. taiwanensis</i>; CD, cell debris; E, enterocytes; L, lumen. Scale Bar = 10 µm.