Expression of exsA::lacZ (A) and exoS::lacZ (B) in the backgrounds of PAK, PAKmucA22, PAKalgR::Gm, and PAKalgR::Gm complemented with algR-expressing plasmid pWW022. For algR gene complementation, various concentrations of IPTG were added into the culture medium as indicated. Bacteria were grown in LB (white bars) or LB plus 5 mM EGTA (black bars) to an OD600 of 1 to 2 before β-galactosidase assays. *, P < 0.05.