Abstract:AvrXccC is a type III secretion systems (TTSS) effector protein of Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (Xcc) strain 8004. Previous studies have shown that AvrXccC acts as a virulence factor in Arabidopsis rar1 mutant, and suppresses flg22-induced innate immunity. However, it remains unclear about the virulence target of AvrXccC in plants. Here, we found AvrXccC specifically interacted with the cytoplasmic kinase BIK1 in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, AvrXccC did not suppress flg22-induced BIK1 migration in protoplast, indicating that AvrXccC is not a regulator of BIK1 phosphorylation. Interestingly, we found that AvrXccC was phosphorylated by BIK1 in vitro, suggesting that AvrXccC probably acts as a substrate of BIK1 to interfere with the plant innate immunity.