Isolated nucleic acid molecules that confer resistance to the plant pathogen Xanthomonas campestris are provided. These molecules may be introduced into plants that are otherwise susceptible to infection by this bacterium in order to enhance the resistance of the plant to this plant pathogen. Additionally provided are isolated polypeptides and isolated nucleic acid molecules comprising plant promoters. Methods of using the nucleic acid molecules to increase the resistance of plants to pathogens and to express genes of interest in plants are provided.