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Sequence and transcriptional analysis of the ubiquitin gene cluster in the genome of Spodoptera exigua nucleopolyhedrovirus.

The nucleotide sequence of a 1200 bp DNA fragment of Spodoptera exigua nucleopolyhedrovirus (SeMNPV) was determined. This sequence contained a cluster of two open reding frames (ORFs), one coding for a viral ubiquitin (v-ubi) and another with homology to orf2 of Autographa californica (Ac) MNPV and Orgyia pseudotsugata (Op) MNPV. The vubi ORF is 240 nucleotides (nt) long, potentially encoding a protein of 80 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of 9.4 kDa. The amino acid sequence of the v-ubi gene in SeMNPV has 75% and 81.6% identity with the v-ubi gene of AcMNPV and OpMNPV and approximately 84% with cellular ubiquitins. Northern blot analysis revealed three major small transcripts late in infection, of about 690, 550 and 400 nt long. Primer extension analysis showed that transcription started from within two consensus late promoter elements (TAAG), located at positions -6 and -30. The start site at position -4/-5 precedes the shortest leader reported to date for a baculovirus gene. The other ORF, xb187, was identified in the opposite orientation immediately upstream of the v-ubi gene. This ORF potentially encodes a 22 kDa protein with unknown function and about 60% amino acid similarity to the products of the orf2 genes of AcMNPV and OpMNPV. The SeMNPV xb187 ORF is transcribed late in infection via two transcripts, 1.2 kb and 770 nt long. The v-ubi-xb187 gene cluster is located at map unit (m.u.) 89 on the genome of SeMNPV. This is different from the position of an identical cluster in the AcMNPV and OpMNPV genomes, located at relative m.u. 20.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

New type of osmoregulated solute transporter identified in halophilic members of the bacteria domain: TRAP transporter TeaABC mediates uptake of ectoine and hydroxyectoine in Halomonas elongata DSM 2581(T).

The halophilic bacterium Halomonas elongata synthesizes as its main compatible solute the aspartate derivative ectoine. We constructed a deletion mutant of H. elongata, KB1, defective in ectoine synthesis and tolerating elevated salt concentrations only in the presence of external compatible solutes. The dependency of KB1 on solute uptake for growth in high-salt medium was exploited to select insertion mutants unable to accumulate external solutes via osmoregulated transporters. One insertion mutant out of 7,200 failed to accumulate the osmoprotectants ectoine and hydroxyectoine. Genetic analysis of the insertion site proved that the mutation affected an open reading frame (ORF) of 1,281 bp (teaC). The nucleotide sequence upstream of teaC was determined, and two further ORFs of 603 bp (teaB) and 1,023 bp (teaA) were identified. Deletion of teaA and teaB proved that all three genes are mandatory for ectoine uptake. Sequence comparison showed significant identity of TeaA, TeaB, and TeaC to the transport proteins of the recently identified tripartite ATP-independent periplasmic transporter family (TRAP-T). The affinity of the cells for ectoines was determined (K(s) = 21.7 microM), suggesting that the transporter TeaABC exhibits high affinity for ectoines. An elevation of the external osmolarity resulted in a strong increase in ectoine uptake via TeaABC, demonstrating that this transporter is osmoregulated. Deletion of teaC and teaBC in the wild-type strain led to mutants which excreted significant amounts of ectoine into the medium when cultivated at high salt concentrations. Therefore, the physiological role of TeaABC may be primarily to recover ectoine leaking through the cytoplasmic membrane.

Acetyltransferases↗

The carboxyl-half of the rotavirus nonstructural protein NS53 (NSP1) is not required for virus replication.

The rotavirus nonstructural protein NS53 (NSVP1), the product of genome segment 5, possesses RNA-binding activity and contains a highly conserved cysteine-rich motif located in the amino-terminal half of the protein. The genome of the bovine rotavirus variant, brvA, lacks a normal segment 5 but includes a novel dsRNA (gene A) of approximately 2600 basepairs (bp) that contains segment 5-specific sequences (F. Hundley, B. Biryahwaho, M. Gow, and U. Desselberger, Virology 143, 88-103, 1985). To gain information about the nature of the rearrangement in gene A and its capacity to encode a protein product, we prepared and sequenced complementary (c)DNA of the gene A RNA. The results showed that gene A is 2693 bp in size and contains a head-to-tail duplication of 1112 bp that originates from the open reading frame (ORF) of gene 5. The duplication begins at nucleotide (nt) 1454, which is 53 nt upstream from the end of the ORF for NS53. Gene A contains a point mutation at nt 808 which results in the presence of a nonsense codon near the middle of the ORF for NS53. Thus the predicted product of gene A is a truncated NS53 of 258 amino acids (aa) (31 kDa), approximately one-half the size of the authentic 491-aa NS53 (58 kDa). Examination of lysates from brvA-infected cells by Western blot assay using an NS53-specific antibody confirmed that the variant encodes only a truncated gene 5 product. Despite the truncation, analysis of the gene A product suggested that it, like full-length NS53, accumulated in association with the cytoskeleton of the infected cell, thus providing evidence that the subcellular localization signal in NS53 resides in the amino terminal half of the protein. Given that brvA is a viable, nondefective mutant, these results demonstrate that the carboxyl-terminal 233 aa of NS53 are not required for rotavirus replication in vitro.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Genetic differences among the LPS biosynthetic loci of serovars of Leptospira interrogans and Leptospira borgpetersenii.

The gene organization in the lipopolysaccharide biosynthetic (rfb) locus was analyzed in seven Leptospira interrogans serovars within serogroup Icterohemorrhagiae, seven non-Icterohemorrhagiae serovars and one Leptospira borgpetersenii serovar. Two groups of loci were delineated based on DNA hybridization and sequence analysis. Group 1 contained the two Hardjo subtypes, Hardjoprajitno and Hardjobovis. Group 2 (containing Copenhageni, Pomona, Naam, Mwogolo, Smithi, Lai, Canicola, Autumnalis, Pyrogenes, Australis and Icterohemorrhagiae) differed from Group 1 in its organization upstream of orf11, where five ORFs (32, 33, 34, 35, 37) were identified that were not contained in the Group 1 loci. These ORFs encoded a putative epimerase (orf32), a glycosyltransferase (orf33), two integral membrane proteins (orfs 34 and 35), and a galactosyltransferase (orf37). Serovars Australis, Pomona and Autumnalis did not contain orf37. Serovar Bataviae was excluded from the grouping because of its unique genetic organization upstream of orf13. In the Group 2 loci, comparison of the genetic layout at the 5' end revealed differences which included mutations disrupting reading frames in either or both orf34 and orf35 and apparent allelic differences between orf33 homologs that may be sufficient to account for the genetic basis of serovar identity.

Alleles↗

[Researches on the nucleotide sequencing of the recombinant Sj 22.6 kDa antigen gene of Schistosoma japonicum].

AIM: To sequence the cloned gene in pGSj24 and to identify the encoded protein. METHODS: The cloned gene in pGSj24 was digested from the recombinant plasmid by EcoRI, ligated into the M13mp19 vector and sequenced by automatic sequencer. The sequence was analyzed by Goldkey DNA and Protein Analytical Program and DNASIS Program. RESULTS: The pGSj24 cloned gene was demonstrated to be 840 bp containing one opened reading frame (ORF) with an initiation codon ATG at position 23 nt and a termination codon TAA at position 596 nt, encoding a protein with a molecular weight of 22.6 kDa. At the upstream and downstream of the ORF there were termination codons, so the encoded protein was unable to be larger. However, there was a termination codon TAA at position 11 nt, suggesting why the 22.6 kDa protein expressed separately. The nucleotide sequence of the pGSj24 cloned gene shared 95% identity with that of the corresponding part of S. japonicum 22.6 kDa antigen gene, and 99.7% identity in the encoding part. The deduced amino acid sequence analysis showed a sequence motif known as EF-Hand calcium binding domain, several endoplasmic reticulum targeting sequences and microbodies C-terminal targeting signals. The possible antigen determinants were predicted within the amino acid fragments of 29-32aa, 63-68aa and 87-101aa. CONCLUSIONS: The cloned gene in pGSj24 is the gene that encodes Sj22.6 kDa antigen.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Characterization of IS1221 from Mycoplasma hyorhinis: expression of its putative transposase in Escherichia coli incorporates a ribosomal frameshift mechanism.

Seven complete and two partial copies of IS1221 variants from Mycoplasma hyorhinis and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae characterized to date have established a consensus IS1221 as a 1513 bp element with unique structural characteristics resembling the IS3 family of bacterial insertion sequences. Each IS1221 copy contains highly conserved 28 bp imperfect terminal inverted repeats and three distinctive internal inverted repeats (LIR, RIR and IIR). IIR is located within the coding region of the element and it is proposed that it plays a critical role in the regulation of putative transposase expression. Consensus IS1221 and one particular copy, G1135.2, contain a single long open reading frame (ORF). Two potential initiation codons are present at nucleotide 46 (AUG46) and nucleotide 397 (AUG397) and both are preceded by strong ribosome-binding sites. Both initiation codons can be used efficiently in an Escherichia coli T7 expression system. The LIR has a negative regulatory effect on translation initiation from AUG46. A-1 translational frameshift event is shown to be involved in expression of the IS1221 ORF and results in the production of 20 kDa and 6 kDa truncated proteins from the respective upstream initiation codons of the IS1221 ORF. Base substitution and deletion mutations in sequences resembling characterized motifs in documented examples of translational frameshifting resulted in a significant increase in the full-length products and a corresponding decrease in the truncated products from the IS1221 ORF. In contrast to the usual -1 frameshift regulatory event in the IS3 family, which produces a transframe fusion product as the active transposase, IS1221 may have evolved a high-frequency -1 frameshift mechanism that produces a truncated product from the upstream coding domain and thereby results in the regulated low-level production of the full-length presumptive transposase.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Human coronavirus OC43 RNA 4 lacks two open reading frames located downstream of the S gene of bovine coronavirus.

Nucleotide sequences between the spike (S) and membrane (M) protein genes of the OC43 strain of human corona-virus were obtained from PCR-amplified viral mRNAs. Sequence analysis of this region revealed the presence of two ORFs encoding proteins of 12.9 and 9.5 kDa. These two proteins were identified as putatively nonstructural (ns) due to their homology to the corresponding BCV ns gene products. Northern blot analysis indicated that each of these two genes was present on a separate mRNA (5 and 5-1, respectively). In vitro translation analyses demonstrated that the HCV-OC43 9.5-kDa protein, like its BCV counterpart, is poorly translated when situated downstream of the 12.9-kDa ORF, although immunofluorescence studies did confirm its presence in infected cells. Sequence analysis showed that a large portion of the 3'-end of the leader sequence is present within the viral genome, upstream of the 12.9-kDa ORF. In addition, two ORFs encoding potential 4.9- and 4.8-kDa ns proteins in BCV are absent in HCV-OC43, although a corresponding mRNA 4 was found at a very low level. These results demonstrate that these two putative ns proteins are not essential for virus replication, at least in HRT-18 cells.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Cloning of the Helicobacter pylori recA gene and functional characterization of its product.

The RecA protein is a key enzyme involved in DNA recombination in bacteria. Using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification we cloned a recA homolog from Helicobacter pylori. The gene revealed an open reading frame (ORF) encoding a putative protein of 37.6 kDa showing closest homology to the Campylobacter jejuni RecA (75.5% identity). A putative ribosome binding site and a near-consensus sigma 70 promoter sequence was found upstream of recA. A second ORF, encoding a putative protein with N-terminal sequence homology to prokaryotic and eukaryotic enolases, is located directly downstream of recA. Compared to the wild-type strains, isogenic H. pylori recA deletion mutants of strains 69A and NCTC11637 displayed increased sensitivity to ultraviolet light and abolished general homologous recombination. The recombinant H. pylori RecA protein produced in Escherichia coli strain GC6 (recA-) was 38 kDa in size but inactive in DNA repair, whereas the corresponding protein in H. pylori 69A migrated at the greater apparent molecular weight of approx. 40 kDa in SDS-polyacrylamide gels. However, complementation of the H. pylori mutant using the cloned recA gene on a shuttle vector resulted in a RecA protein of the original size and fully restored the general functions of the enzyme. These data can be best explained by a modification of RecA in H. pylori which is crucial for its function. The potential modification seems not to occur when the protein is produced in E. coli, giving rise to a smaller but inactive protein.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Nucleotide sequence of the tetracycline resistance gene of pTHT15, a thermophilic Bacillus plasmid: comparison with staphylococcal TcR controls.

The nucleotide (nt) sequence of the tetracycline resistance (TcR) region (1628 bp) of the Bacillus plasmid pTHT15 was determined. A single open reading frame (ORF), encoding a 458 amino acid (aa) 50-kDal protein (TET), is present after a GTG initiation codon preceded by a ribosome-binding site (RBS-2). The transcriptional start point, at a position 120 nt upstream from the GTG codon was determined by S1 mapping. This upstream region contains a short ORF (30 aa) which is preceded by RBS-1. The presence of three inverted repeats, which can form two different conformations of the mRNA very similar to those of the control region of the macrolide-lincosamide streptogramine B resistance gene of pE194 [Horinouchi and Weisblum, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 77 (1980) 7079-7083; Gryczan et al., Nucl. Acids Res. 8 (1980) 6081-6097; Shivakumar et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 77 (1980) 3903-3907], suggests that the TcR gene is regulated by a translational attenuation mechanism. A Rho-independent transcriptional terminator structure is present immediately after the translational stop codon (TAA) of the TET protein. Comparison of the TET protein with the staphylococcal TcR proteins of pT181 revealed considerable homology.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Expression of the Moraxella catarrhalis UspA1 protein undergoes phase variation and is regulated at the transcriptional level.

The UspA1 protein of Moraxella catarrhalis has been shown to function as an adhesin that mediates adherence to human epithelial cell lines in vitro (E. R. Lafontaine, L. D. Cope, C. Aebi, J. L. Latimer, G. H. McCracken, Jr., and E. J. Hansen, J. Bacteriol. 182:1364-1373, 2000). In the present study, cell lysates prepared from individual colonies of several M. catarrhalis wild-type strains were analyzed by Western blot analysis using monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) specific for the UspA1 protein. Expression of UspA1 was shown to exhibit phase variation that was correlated with both adherence ability in vitro and the number of guanine (G) residues contained within a homopolymeric [poly(G)]tract located upstream of the uspA1 open reading frame (ORF). Nucleotide sequence analysis revealed that isolates expressing relatively high levels of UspA1 had 10 G residues in their uspA1 poly(G)tracts, whereas isolates that expressed much lower levels of UspA1 had 9 G residues. This poly(G) tract was located 30 nucleotides (nt) upstream of the uspA1 ORF and 168 nt downstream of the uspA1 transcriptional start site. Primer extension experiments, RNA slot blot analysis, and cat reporter constructs were used to demonstrate that M. catarrhalis isolates with 10 G residues in their uspA1 poly(G) tracts expressed two-to threefold more uspA1 mRNA than did isolates which had 9 G residues in their poly(G)tracts. Northern hybridization analysis revealed that an intact uspA1 mRNA was readily detectable in RNA from M. catarrhalis isolates that had 10 G residues in their uspA1 poly(G) tracts, whereas no full-length uspA1 mRNA was observed in isolates whose poly(G)tracts contained 9 G residues. M. catarrhalis strain O35E uspA1 genes that contained wild-type and mutated poly(G) tracts were expressed in Haemophilus influenzae to demonstrate that the length and composition of the poly(G)tract affected expression of UspA1.

Bacterial Adhesion↗

Transcriptional analysis and heterologous expression of the gene encoding beta-lactamase inhibitor protein (BLIP) from Streptomyces clavuligerus.

Transcription of bli, the gene encoding beta-lactamase (Bla) inhibitor protein (BLIP) of Streptomyces clavuligerus, was analyzed by promoter-probe studies, Northern hybridization and high-resolution S1 nuclease mapping. The 1-kb SalI DNA fragment immediately upstream from the bli open reading frame (ORF) showed promoter activity when tested using the xylE-based promoter-probe vector, pIJ4083. The promoter activity was approx. 36-fold higher in S. clavuligerus than in S. lividans. Northern hybridization analysis of S. clavuligerus RNA revealed that bli was expressed as a 0.7-kb monocistronic transcript. High-resolution S1 nuclease mapping identified the transcription start point as an A residue 47 bp upstream from the bli start codon. When the bli ORF, along with 111 bp of upstream sequence including the promoter, was introduced into S. lividans, the transformants produced BLIP, but in amounts approx. 12-fold lower than that produced by S. clavuligerus. Involvement of some additional regulatory element that is present in S. clavuligerus, but absent in S. lividans, could explain the difference in the promoter activities and therefore the difference in the overall expression of bli in the two hosts.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Expression of the mitochondrial split gene coding for cytochrome oxidase subunit I in S. cerevisiae: RNA splicing pathway.

We have studied the splicing pathway leading to the synthesis of cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COX I) mRNA, by analysing the transcription pattern of several oxi3- splicing deficient mutants located in the first four introns of the gene. The four introns contain long open reading frames (ORFs) in phase with the upstream exons. All the mutations block the excision of the mutated intervening sequence (IVS) from the pre-mRNA, and accumulate characteristic novel polypeptides of sizes which could correspond to the translation products of the intron's ORF. Most of the mutations do not affect the splicing of the following intervening sequences; only in the case of mutations in the aI1 intron is a polar effect observed on the splicing of the second intron, aI2. Our results indicate that the splicing of these two intervening sequences which both belong to the class II of introns described by Michel et al. (1982), is controlled by the activity of the maturases encoded by their respective ORFs and that the translation of the aI2 maturase depends on the previous excision of aI1 IVS. (Moreover, the aI1 maturase, which accumulates in some mutants, can efficiently splice aI2 IVS when the translation of the latter's proper maturase cannot occur).

Electron Transport Complex IV↗

The translation of an antiapoptotic protein HIAP2 is regulated by an upstream open reading frame.

HIAP2 is a multifunctional protein that is critically involved in the regulation of cell survival and apoptosis. Here, we show that HIAP2 5' untranslated region functions as a strong inhibitor of translation. Sequence analysis of human, mouse and rat sequences revealed that there exists a short open reading frame (ORF) that is located just upstream of the HIAP2 coding sequence. The translation of this uORF severely inhibited translation of the downstream reporter gene in vivo but not in vitro. Point mutation that destroys the CUG initiating codon of uORF markedly enhanced translation of the reporter gene without affecting the mRNA levels. Our results identify a novel translational regulatory mechanism that controls the expression of HIAP2 and point to the importance of tight regulation of antiapoptotic gene expression.

5' Untranslated Regions↗

X gene-related sequences in the core gene of duck and heron hepatitis B viruses.

The genomes of all known mammalian hepadnaviruses contain an open reading frame (ORF), designated X, located just upstream from the gene encoding the major viral nucleocapsid polypeptide. This gene is believed to have one or more roles central to the life cycle of these viruses. Consequently, it is surprising that avian hepadnaviruses appear to lack this ORF. However, the observation that the size and position of the core gene in the duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV) genome and the heron hepatitis B virus (HHBV) genome is comparable to the combined X and core genes of the mammalian hepadnaviruses suggests that X function(s) may be performed by the major nucleocapsid polypeptide of DHBV and HHBV. Computer-assisted analyses were carried out to test the hypothesis that the primary and secondary structural characteristics of the X gene product are also present in the major core gene product of the duck (DHBcAg) and heron (HHBcAg) viruses. Primary sequence comparison of the major core-associated polypeptides encoded by the avian and mammalian hepadnaviruses demonstrates considerable homology at both the amino- and carboxyl-terminal regions of these components. However, the middle portion of the DHBcAg and HHBcAg polypeptide, spanning about half the molecule, is unique. Comparison of this region with the carboxyl-terminal half of the X gene sequences from mammalian hepadnaviruses demonstrates similarities in both primary sequence and secondary structural characteristics. These results suggest that X-like gene product sequences are present in the core gene products of DHBV and HHBV. In addition, a sequence of about two dozen residues at the amino terminus of the mammalian X gene product, overlapping the polymerase gene product, is found in the corresponding position in DHBV. This is consistent with the conclusion that the relationship between the DHBV and HHBV core genes compared to the X and core genes of the mammalian hepadnaviruses may be explained by one or more translocations in the this region of the viral genome. The previous finding of X antigen determinants associated with one or more core-related polypeptides in the mammalian hepadnaviruses, combined with the results of this study, suggests that X gene product function is conserved among these viruses.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Complete nucleotide sequence and genomic organization of the Aedes albopictus parvovirus (AaPV) pathogenic for Aedes aegypti larvae.

We have cloned the replicative form of the Aedes albopictus parvovirus (AaPV) genome and determined the complete sequence of the viral strand. The sequence is 4176 nucleotides (nt) in length. The first 134 nt at the 3' end and the terminal 182 nt at the 5' end of the viral (minus) strand can both generate by folding and annealing of complementary sequences a typical terminal T-shaped structure although they differ in their sequence. Three large open reading frames (ORFs), each one in a different frame, are present between map units (mu) 8.0 and 87.6 on the complementary (plus) strand. The left, mid (located within the left ORF), and right ORFs have potential coding capacities of 95, 41, and 40 kDa, respectively. Two potential promoters were found upstream from the left and right ORFs, at mu 7.2 and mu 60.0, respectively. Computer search for sequence homologies suggests that the left ORF very likely encodes the nonstructural NS-1 protein since it contains the highly conserved NTP-binding amino acid (aa) domain (GKRN sequence) of all parvoviruses. Comparison with other invertebrate and vertebrate parvoviruses revealed that the AaPV genome shares 77.3% nt sequence homology and between 73 and 78% aa sequence homologies with the Aedes aegypti densonucleosis virus (Aedes DNV). Organization of both genomes was similar except that no potential ORF was found on the minus strand of AaPV. The difference of 167 nt in length between AaPV and Aedes DNV (4009 nt) genomes is due to additional noncoding sequences located between the internal coding region and the terminal palindromes in the AaPV genome. No significant homology was found between AaPV and the two other insect parvoviruses sequenced so far, the Bombyx mori DNV (BmDNV) and the Junonia coenia DNV (JcDNV).

Aedes↗

The site-specific recombination system of the Lactobacillus species bacteriophage A2 integrates in gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.

The region of the bacteriophage A2 genome involved in site-specific recombination with the DNA of Lactobacillus spp. has been identified. Two orfs, transcribed from the same strand, have been found immediately upstream of the phage attachment site (attP). The orf adjacent to attP predicts a 385-amino-acid protein that presents significant similarity with site-specific recombinases of the integrase family. The other orf encodes a basic polypeptide of 76 amino acid residues. The junctions of the prophage with the genomes of its hosts have been determined, allowing the identification of the host attachment site (attB), which has a common 19-nucleotide core region with attP. The attB site is located at the 3' end of the transfer RNALeu gene (anticodon CAA). Nonreplicative plasmids containing the A2-specific recombination cassette integrate into different lactobacilli but also into unrelated Gram-positive bacteria such as Lactococcus lactis and even into Escherichia coli. In Lc. lactis, integration occurs in a previously unknown intergenic region, whereas in E. coli, it maps within the rrnD operon, 5' of rrsD gene. Comparison of the integration sites in the different hosts indicates that some flexibility is permitted in the attB sequence, since Lc. lactis and E. coli only share 13 and 11 nucleotides, respectively, with the 19-nucleotide core sequence of the lactobacilli.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Nucleotide sequence and transcript mapping of the HindIII F region of the Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus genome.

The organization of genes in the 2.95 kb EcoRI-SalI fragment (0.7 to 3.0 map units) located within the HindIII F region of the Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus genome was studied by a combination of DNA sequencing, Northern blot analysis, S1 mapping and primer extension analysis. In addition to the two divergent overlapping transcripts [leftward early (ES1) and rightward late (ES2)] previously reported, a third transcript which is present at 18 h p.i. and which also runs leftward, overlapping ES1 by 1600 nucleotides (nt) at the 3' end, was mapped to this region. The DNA sequence revealed the presence of three open reading frames (ORFs) of significant length. ORF-1 and ORF-2 correspond to the leftward transcripts, and code for potential polypeptides of 151 and 329 amino acids, respectively. ORF-3 which codes for a potential polypeptide of 167 amino acids is located on the opposite strand in a region for which no transcript mapping data are available. However, the conserved late gene promoter/cap site sequence (ATAAG) is present 23 nt upstream of the start of ORF-3.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Tight linkage of glnA and a putative regulatory gene in Rhizobium leguminosarum.

Rhizobium leguminosarum, biovar viceae, strain RCC1001 contains two glutamine synthetase activities, GSI and GSII. We report here the identification of glnA, the structural gene for GSI. A 2 kb fragment of DNA was shown to complement the Gln- phenotype of Klebsiella pneumoniae glnA mutant strains. DNA sequence analysis revealed an open reading frame (ORF) of 469 codons specifying a polypeptide of 52,040 daltons. Its deduced amino acid sequence was found to be highly homologous to other glutamine synthetase sequences. This ORF was expressed in Escherichia coli minicells and the corresponding polypeptide reacted with an antiserum raised against GSI. Upstream of glnA we found an ORF of 111 codons (ORF111) preceded by the consensus sequence for an ntrA-dependent promoter. Minicells experiments showed a protein band, with a molecular weight in good agreement with that (10,469) deduced from the nucleotide sequence. On the basis of homology studies we discuss the possibility that the product of ORF111 is equivalent to the PII protein of E. coli and plays a similar role in regulation of nitrogen metabolism.

DNA Restriction Enzymes↗