Biomedical subjects

K A Walter

Publications and source records attributed to K A Walter.

21 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1993

Sequence and arrangement of two genes of the butyrate-synthesis pathway of Clostridium acetobutylicum ATCC 824.

The genes encoding both Clostridium acetobutylicum ATCC 824 butyrate synthesis pathway enzymes, phosphotransbutyrylase (ptb) and butyrate kinase (buk), were sequenced. The genes are immediately adjacent on the chromosome, with ptb preceding buk. A single transcription start point (tsp) was identified 57 bp upstream from the ptb start codon by primer extension analysis. The ptb and buk genes appear to form an operon. A putative Rho-independent terminator structure was identified 26 bp downstream from buk.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1992

Molecular characterization of two Clostridium acetobutylicum ATCC 824 butanol dehydrogenase isozyme genes.

A 4-kb segment of DNA containing two previously cloned butanol dehydrogenase (BDH) isozyme genes (D. Petersen, R. Welch, F. Rudolph, and G. Bennett, J. Bacteriol. 173:1831-1834, 1991) was sequenced. Two complete open reading frames (ORFs) were identified (bdhA and bdhB), along with a third truncated ORF (ORF1). The translation products of bdhA and bdhB corresponded to the N-terminal sequences of the purified BDH I and BDH II proteins, respectively. The two isozymes had a high amino acid identity (73%) and showed homology to a newly described class of alcohol dehydrogenases. Northern blots revealed that bdhA and bdhB did not form an operon. Primer extension experiments located single transcriptional start sites 37 and 58 bp upstream of the start codons of bdhA and bdhB, respectively. The -10 and -35 promoter regions for these genes were almost identical. bdhA and bdhB were found to be induced or derepressed immediately prior to significant butanol production in controlled pH 5.0 batch fermentations.

Alcohol Oxidoreductases↗

PubMed1991

Cloning of an NADH-dependent butanol dehydrogenase gene from Clostridium acetobutylicum.

The acetone-butanol fermentation of C. acetobutylicum is characterized by the unique shift from acid to solvent production. The mechanism of the solventogenic switch involves the induction of several enzymes, including NADH-dependent butanol dehydrogenase (BDH) at the onset of solventogenesis. This enzyme is responsible for the final conversion of butyraldehyde to butanol, and is distinct from the NADPH-dependent alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) also present in the organism. To characterize the genetic control of this gene, we have cloned and expressed it in E. coli. A lambda EMBL3 phage library of C. acetobutylicum DNA was screened via plaque hybridization using a [32P]-radiolabeled, 32-fold degenerate, 62-mer oligonucleotide probe. The probe was designed by reverse translation of the NH2-terminal amino acid sequence of purified BDH II. Southern blot experiments indicate that the phage insert was of clostridial origin and had no homology with the previously cloned NADPH-dependent ADH. Subcloning of DNA from purified positive plaques has localized the gene to a 3.5-kb EcoRI fragment from which the enzyme is well expressed. The sequence of the 25 NH2-terminal amino acids for the cloned enzyme purified from E. coli was determined and found to be identical to that for the clostridial NADH-dependent BDH II. Maxicell analysis of [35S]-radiolabeled plasmid-encoded proteins identified a species encoded by the clostridial insert with the expected Mr of 42 kD.

Alcohol Oxidoreductases↗