The expression of HR-like lesion inducing gene of Oryza sativa (OsHRL) was slightly increased by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) infection. Transgenic rice plants over-expressing OsHRL gene were challenged with Xoo and the development of disease symptoms were examined to investigate the effect of OsHRL gene expression on plant defense responses. The over-expression of OsHRL increased disease resistance against Xoo compared with wild type plants.