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An ABC transporter is essential for resistance to the antitumor agent mithramycin in the producer Streptomyces argillaceus.

Mithramycin is an antitumor antibiotic synthesized by Streptomyces argillaceus. This producer strain is highly resistant in vivo to mithramycin (MIC 100 micrograms/ml) but sensitive to the related drugs chromomycin and olivomycin (MIC 10 micrograms/ml). From a genomic library of S. argillaceus DNA two cosmid clones were isolated which confer a high level of resistance to mithramycin on S. albus. The resistance genes were mapped by subcloning to a 3.9-kb PstI-PvuII fragment. DNA sequence analysis of this fragment revealed one incomplete and three complete open reading frames. Subcloning experiments demonstrated that resistance to mithramycin is mediated by the genes mtrA and mtrB. The mtrA gene can potentially encode an ATP-binding protein of the ABC transporter superfamily, containing one nucleotide-binding domain and showing similarity with other ABC transporters involved in resistance to daunorubicin, oleandomycin and tetronasin in their respective producer strains. The mtrB gene codes for an integral membrane protein with six putative transmembrane helices. A mithramycin-sensitive mutant was generated in a gene replacement experiment by disrupting the mtrA gene, thus demonstrating that the system encoded by the mtrAB genes is essential for conferring resistance to mithramycin in S. argillaceus.

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters↗

Isolation and characterization of the Azospirillum brasilense trpE(G) gene, encoding anthranilate synthase.

The Azospirillum brasilense trpE gene has been isolated by DNA hybridization and by genetic complementation of an Escherichia coli trpE deletion mutant. DNA sequence analysis of a 3.1-kb PstI restriction fragment of A. brasilense revealed the presence of an open reading frame encoding a putative TrpE(G) fusion protein. Previously an A. brasilense clone containing trpGDC was identified (Zimmer et al. Mol Gen Genet 229:41-51, 1991). It can, therefore, be concluded that A. brasilense contains two trpG genes. A putative leader peptide is found upstream of trpE(G), containing three consecutive tryptophan residues. Putative terminator and anti-terminator loops have also been identified. The LLESX10S motif, which is responsible for feedback inhibition by tryptophan in other TrpE proteins, is absent in the A. brasilense TrpE(G) fused protein.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Genomic organization of six tomato polygalacturonases and 5' upstream sequence identity with tap1 and win2 genes.

Recently, three polygalacturonase (PG) cDNAs (TAPG1, TAPG2, and TAPG4) were identified in a library prepared from tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum cv. Rutgers) leaf abscission zones. Genomic clones encoding these three cDNAs have been identified. Moreover, the genomic clones include three additional PG genes, TPG3, TAPG5 and TPG6, which have not been previously reported. A transcript for TAPG5 was detected in the RNA from leaf and flower abscission zones; however, transcripts for TPG3 and TPG6 were not. DNA sequence analysis revealed that TAPG1, TAPG2, and TPG3 are linked in a close tandem array. TAPG4, TAPG5 and TPG6 are also closely linked to each other but in divergent and inverted orientations and are not closely linked to TAPG1, TAPG2, or TPG3. TAPG4, TAPG5 and TPG6 map to the middle of chromosome 12. TPG6 contains two introns. The other five PG genes include four exons and three introns. The relative positions of introns 1 and 2 are shared by all six PG genes. The position of intron 3 is conserved in the other five. The structure of the tomato fruit PG gene, which contains 8 introns, is compared with that of the six PG genes described above. Of interest is an approximately 300 bp inverted repeat found in TAPG1, TAPG2 and TAPG4 that shares significant sequence identity with sequence in the first intron of the tomato anionic peroxidase gene, tap1. RNA blot analysis indicates that the transcript for an anionic peroxidase increases during abscission. In addition, a 250 bp sequence found in TPG3 shares high sequence identity with a 5' upstream region in a wound-induced win2 gene from potato. Potential sites of transcriptional regulation in these genes are discussed.

Base Sequence↗

Identification of the RA response element and transcriptional silencer in human alphaCaMKII promoter.

The promoter of alpha subunit of the rat calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (alphaCaMKII) gene was identified to contain an essential TATA element. Cell-based functional assay showed that the rat promoter displayed greater activity in neuronal cells than in non-neuronal cells. To characterize the human alphaCaMKII promoter, we have developed a promoter-reporter gene assay using different cell lines. A 2047 base pairs (bp) human alphaCaMKII gene promoter was cloned from human genomic DNA. Unlike the rat alphaCaMKII promoter, DNA sequence analysis showed that the human promoter was devoid of TATA element. We made series deletions of the promoter and fused the different sizes of the human promoter sequences to a luciferase reporter gene. The promoter-reporter constructs were transfected into human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y, human neuroblastoma BE(2)-M17, and rat pheochromocytoma PC12 neuronal cell lines as well as human embryonic kidney HEK293 and human glioma U251 non-neuronal cell lines. The reporter gene assay demonstrated that the human alphaCaMKII promoter displayed high activity in the neuronal cell lines, while the activity was low in non-neuronal cell lines. All-trans retinoic acid (RA) enhanced the promoter activity in SH-SY5Y cells. Further analysis showed that there were two RA response elements located between +11 and +136 and -1911 to -593. In addition, we have identified a potent silencer at position -179 to -244 of the human alphaCaMKII promoter.

5' Flanking Region↗

Cloning, expression and characterization of a poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) depolymerase from Marinobacter sp. NK-1.

A DNA fragment carrying the gene encoding poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (P(3HB)) depolymerase was cloned from the genomic DNA of Marinobacter sp. DNA sequencing analysis revealed that the Marinobacter sp. P(3HB) depolymerase gene is composed of 1734bp and encodes 578 amino acids with a molecular mass of 61,757Da. A sequence homology search showed that the deduced protein contains the signal peptide, catalytic domain (CD), cadherin-type linker domain (LD), and two substrate-binding domain (SBD). The fusion proteins of glutathione S-transferase (GST) with the CD showed the hydrolytic activity for denatured P(3HB) (dP(3HB)), P(3HB) emulsion (eP(3HB)) and p-nitrophenylbutyrate. On the other hand, the fusion proteins lacking the SBD showed much lower hydrolytic activity for dP(3HB) compared to the proteins containing both CD and SBD. In addition, binding tests revealed that the SBDs are specifically bound not to eP(3HB) but dP(3HB). These suggest that the SBDs play a crucial role in the enzymatic hydrolysis of dP(3HB) that is a solid substrate.

Alteromonadaceae↗

Sequence comparisons of the CDR3 hyper-variable loops of human T cell receptors specific for three major T cell epitopes of the birch pollen allergen Bet v 1.

We have analysed the T cell receptor (TCR) alpha and beta chain sequences of 16 human CD4+ T cell clones (TCCs) specific for three important epitopes of the major birch pollen allergen Bet v 1. The TCCs were raised from the peripheral blood of eight patients with birch pollen allergy, showing allergic rhino-conjunctivitis and allergic asthma. The TCCs from these individuals were specific for Bet v 1-derived peptides: amino acids (aa)77-92 (epitope 1), aa93-108 (epitope 2) and aa113-126 (epitope 3). The DNA sequence analysis of the TCRAV and BV regions revealed heterogeneous repertoires for recognition of the peptides. Multiple combinations of AV/AJ and BV/BJ were used. However, some inter-individual restriction was evident. A limited selection of AVS and the normally infrequently used BV1S4 was obvious in TCCs specific for epitope 1. The TCRBV13 was more frequent in TCCs recognizing epitope 3. A very narrow distribution in length could be seen in the CDR3 sequences of the beta chain of TCRs with specificity for epitopes 1 and 2. Inter-individual positional micro-restriction was observed for the aa motif LR in the tCDR3 (epitope 1), for the aa residue M in the alphaCDR3 and for the aa residue G in the betaCDR3 (epitope 3). Our results illustrate clearly that each antigenic peptide derived from a single allergen, is capable of selecting different characteristics in the responding repertoire of TCRs, thus increasing the complexity of allergen-recognition by T lymphocytes. Therefore, our findings limit the potential use of TCR targeted therapeutical strategies in Type I allergy.

Allergens↗

Polymorphism of exon 3 of the HLA-G gene.

HLA-G is a non-classical MHC class I gene with a limited tissue distribution. The most pronounced expression is detected in the cytotrophoblast of first trimester placenta. It is possible to detect mRNA for HLA-G in preimplantation blastocysts where expression is correlated with a high cleavage rate of embryos. HLA-G seems to play an important role in the feto-maternal relationship. The polymorphism of the HLA-G locus is not fully clarified. One study has shown extensive nucleotide sequence variation in the exon 3 (alpha-2 domain) in healthy African Americans. A few studies in other populations have only revealed a limited polymorphism. We investigated the polymorphism of the exon 3 of HLA-G by means of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)-Single Strand Conformation Polymorphism (SSCP)- and DNA sequencing analysis in a Danish population. We detected four single-base substitutions in exon 3 compared to the sequence of HLA-6.0 (G*01011); one of these has not been reported before. We also found a deletion of the first base of codon 130 or the third of codon 129 in a heterozygous individual. This study, together with previous results, suggests that the polymorphism of exon 3 of the HLA-G gene in Caucasians is limited, in contrast to that observed in Americans originating from Africa. Implications of this discrepancy and the detected deletion in relation to certain disorders of pregnancy are discussed.

Alleles↗

Conservation of cancer genes in the marine invertebrate Mytilus edulis.

Mussels are susceptible to a wide range of environmental toxicants, including carcinogens, and thus are often employed as bioindicator species. To elucidate the molecular aetiology of such neoplastic damage, we have cloned Mytilus edulis homologues of the vertebrate ras proto-oncogene, and p53 tumor suppressor gene. The M. edulis ras cDNA encodes a predicted protein of 184 amino acids. The DNA sequence analysis with vertebrate ras sequences demonstrates that the M. edulis ras cDNA is highly conserved in regions of functional importance, including mutational hot spots. The partial p53 sequence also demonstrates that M. edulis p53 is highly conserved in two regions of functional importance and that these regions also include four of the five mutational hot spots for this gene. In contrast, the M. edulis p53 sequence shows little similarity to the other published invertebrate p53-like sequences. The cancer gene sequences characterized herein will allow development of specific biomarkers of genotoxic damage.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Xanthine dehydrogenase from the phototrophic purple bacterium Rhodobacter capsulatus is more similar to its eukaryotic counterparts than to prokaryotic molybdenum enzymes.

Fourteen Rhodobacter capsulatus mutants unable to grow with xanthine as sole nitrogen source were isolated by random Tn5 mutagenesis. Five of these Tn5 insertions were mapped within two adjacent chromosomal EcoRI fragments hybridizing to oligonucleotides synthesized according to conserved amino acid sequences of eukaryotic xanthine dehydrogenases. DNA sequence analysis of this region revealed two open reading frames, designated xdhA and xdhB, encoding xanthine dehydrogenase. The deduced amino acid sequence of XDHA contains binding sites for two [2Fe-2S] clusters and FAD, whereas XDHB is predicted to contain the molybdopterin cofactor. In contrast to R. capsulatus, these three cofactor binding sites reside within a single polypeptide chain in eukaryotic xanthine dehydrogenases. The amino acid sequence of xanthine dehydrogenase from R. capsulatus showed a higher degree of similarity to eukaryotic xanthine dehydrogenases than to the xanthine dehydrogenase-related aldehyde oxidoreductase from Desulphovibrio gigas. The expression of an xdhA-lacZ fusion was induced when hypoxanthine or xanthine was added as sole nitrogen source. Mutations in nifR1 (ntrC) and nifR4 (rpoN, encoding sigma54) had no influence on xdh gene expression. A putative activator sensing the availability of substrate seems to respond to xanthine but not to hypoxanthine. The transcriptional start site of xdhA was mapped by primer extension analysis. Comparison with known promoter elements revealed no significant homology. Xanthine dehydrogenase from R. capsulatus was purified to homogeneity. The enzyme consists of two subunits with molecular masses of 85 kDa and 50 kDa respectively. N-terminal amino acid sequencing of both subunits confirmed the predicted start codons. The molecular mass of the native enzyme was determined to be 275 kDa, indicating an alpha2beta2-subunit structure. Analysis of the molybdenum cofactor of xanthine dehydrogenase from R. capsulatus revealed that it contains the molybdopterin cofactor and not a molybdopterin dinucleotide derivative.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Molecular modelling of HLA-DQ suggests a mechanism of resistance in type 1 diabetes.

Genetic resistance and susceptibility to insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) have been associated with the HLA class II region on chromosome 6. In many races, the DQB1*0602 allele has been observed at a decreased frequency in IDDM, suggesting a protective role. A DNA sequence analysis of five patients, previously typed as having allele DQB1*0602, revealed sequence variation: one is DQB1*0603 and four possess unique sequences related to DQB1*0602 (one patient) or DQB1*0603 (three patients). Samples from four unaffected controls possessed normal DQB1*0602 sequences, and all patients and controls have normal DQA1 sequences. Each of the four unique patient sequences yields predicted amino acid sequences differing from the more common DQB1 alleles by variation at codons 9,38 (silent), 59, and/or 62. Molecular modelling of the predicted protein sequence of these permissive variants reveals an HLA-DQ structure from diabetic patients that differs in the surface contour of the peptide-binding groove from normal DQB1*0602 sequence. In all the models of permissive molecules, the surface area corresponding to the HLA-DR pockets 6,7 and 9 are modified. These pockets accommodate side chains of the bound peptide; thus modification of this region could alter peptide specificity. This 'pocket change' suggests that the normal allele could confer dominant protection against the development of IDDM by affecting peptide and/or T cell receptor (TCR) binding. This could regulate the deletion or suppression of T cell clones inappropriately recognizing the beta cells of the pancreas.

Alleles↗

A single-base-pair deletion in the beta-glucuronidase gene accounts for the phenotype of murine mucopolysaccharidosis type VII.

Murine mucopolysaccharidosis type VII is a heritable disease caused by a spontaneous mutation, gus(mps), closely linked to the beta-glucuronidase structural gene on chromosome 5. Mice homozygous for the mutation have a > 200-fold decrease in beta-glucuronidase mRNA levels and virtually no enzyme activity detectable by a sensitive fluorometric assay. Approximately 20 kb of genomic DNA containing the beta-glucuronidase gene Gus and > 2 kb of 5' and 3' flanking sequences were cloned from both a gus(mps)/gus(mps) mouse and a +/+ mouse of the progenitor strain. Restriction enzyme digests containing DNA fragments 20-400 bp in length were generated from each of the two Gus alleles and then compared by using nondenaturing polyacrylamide DNA-sequencing gels. This method rapidly identified a large number of restriction sites and was sensitive enough to detect a restriction fragment length variation resulting from a 1-bp deletion in the gus(mps) allele. DNA-sequence analysis of the mutant genomic fragment showed that the 1-bp deletion created a frameshift mutation within exon 10. Insertion of the deleted nucleotide by oligonucleotide site-directed mutagenesis restored function to the corrected mutant gene when transfected into gus(mps)/gus(mps) fibroblasts. We concluded that the frameshift mutation, which introduces a premature stop codon at codon 497 in exon 10, accounts for the molecular, biochemical, and pathological abnormalities associated with the gus(mps) phenotype.

Alleles↗

The Rana catesbeiana rcr gene encoding a cytotoxic ribonuclease. Tissue distribution, cloning, purification, cytotoxicity, and active residues for RNase activity.

Rana catesbeiana ribonuclease (RC-RNase) is a pyrimidine-guanine sequence-specific ribonuclease found in R. catesbeiana (bullfrog) oocytes. It possesses both ribonuclease activity and cytotoxicity against tumor cells. We report here for the first time the cloning of RC-RNase cDNA from liver rather than from oocytes where RC-RNase is stored. An internal fragment of cDNA was obtained by reverse transcription-PCR using deduced oligonucleotides as primers. Full-length cDNA was obtained by 5'- and 3'-RACE technique. The cDNA clone, named rcr gene, contained a 5'-untranslated region, a putative signal peptide (22 amino acids), a mature protein (111 amino acids), a 3'-untranslated region, and a polyadenylation site. The cDNA which encoded the mature protein was fused upstream with a modified pelB signal peptide DNA and inserted into pET11d for expression in Escherichia coli strain BL21(DE3). The secretory RC-RNase in the culture medium was enzymatically active and was purified to homogeneity. The recombinant RC-RNase had the same amino acid sequence, specific activity, substrate specificity, antigenicity, and cytotoxicity as that of native RC-RNase from frog oocytes. Amino acid residues His-10, Lys-35, and His-103 are involved in RC-RNase catalytic activity. Ribonucleolytic activity was involved in and may be essential for RC-RNase cytotoxicity. DNA sequence analysis showed that RC-RNase had approximately 45% identity to that of RNase superfamily genes. This indicates that RC-RNase is a distinct ribonuclease gene in the RNase superfamily.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Characterization of 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate reductoisomerase, an enzyme involved in isopentenyl diphosphate biosynthesis, and identification of its catalytic amino acid residues.

1-Deoxy-d-xylulose 5-phosphate (DXP) reductoisomerase, which simultaneously catalyzes the intramolecular rearrangement and reduction of DXP to form 2-C-methyl-d-erythritol 4-phosphate, constitutes a key enzyme of an alternative mevalonate-independent pathway for isopentenyl diphosphate biosynthesis. The dxr gene encoding this enzyme from Escherichia coli was overexpressed as a histidine-tagged protein and characterized in detail. DNA sequencing analysis of the dxr genes from 10 E. coli dxr-deficient mutants revealed base substitution mutations at four points: two nonsense mutations and two amino acid substitutions (Gly(14) to Asp(14) and Glu(231) to Lys(231)). Diethyl pyrocarbonate treatment inactivated DXP reductoisomerase, and subsequent hydroxylamine treatment restored the activity of the diethyl pyrocarbonate-treated enzyme. To characterize these defects, we overexpressed the mutant enzymes G14D, E231K, H153Q, H209Q, and H257Q. All of these mutant enzymes except for G14D were obtained as soluble proteins. Although the purified enzyme E231K had wild-type K(m) values for DXP and NADPH, the mutant enzyme had less than a 0.24% wild-type k(cat) value. K(m) values of H153Q, H209Q, and H257Q for DXP increased to 3.5-, 7.6-, and 19-fold the wild-type value, respectively. These results indicate that Glu(231) of E. coli DXP reductoisomerase plays an important role(s) in the conversion of DXP to 2-C-methyl-d-erythritol 4-phosphate, and that His(153), His(209), and His(257), in part, associate with DXP binding in the enzyme molecule.

Aldose-Ketose Isomerases↗

Genetic divergence at the SODA locus of six different formae speciales of Pneumocystis carinii.

Genetic divergence at the SODA (manganese-dependent superoxide dismutase, MnSOD) locus were compared in six Pneumocystis carinii formae speciales isolated from mouse, rabbit, human, macaque and pig. A degenerate oligonucleotide primer strategy was designed to amplify 85-90% of the full-length SODA gene from P. carinii genomic DNA isolates. DNA sequence analysis revealed an A/T bias in the nucleotide composition (71-77.2%) and the presence of seven small introns (41-142 bp), interrupting each P. carinii open reading frame (ORF) at the same position. The MnSOD deduced amino acid sequences from all P. carinii isolates shared residues which were conserved within the MnSOD family and which are required for enzymatic activity and binding of the cofactor metal. Phylogenetic analysis including MnSOD sequences from representatives of the fungal phyla Basidiomycota and Ascomycota indicated that the P. carinii formae speciales form a monophyletic group that is related to the budding yeasts (subphylum Saccharomycotina, previously called class Hemiascomycetes) in the Ascomycota. In the whole Pneumocystis group, P. carinii f. sp. hominis, P. carinii f. sp. macacae and P. carinii f. sp. oryctolagi MnSOD sequences clustered together, as did the rat-derived P. carinii and P. carinii f. sp. muris sequences.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The Schizosaccharomyces pombe cdc3+ gene encodes a profilin essential for cytokinesis.

The fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe divides by medial fission and, like many higher eukaryotic cells, requires the function of an F-actin contractile ring for cytokinesis. In S. pombe, a class of cdc- mutants defective for cytokinesis, but not for DNA replication, mitosis, or septum synthesis, have been identified. In this paper, we present the characterization of one of these mutants, cdc3-124. Temperature shift experiments reveal that mutants in cdc3 are incapable of forming an F-actin contractile ring. We have molecularly cloned cdc3 and used the cdc3+ genomic DNA to create a strain carrying a cdc3 null mutation by homologous recombination in vivo. Cells bearing a cdc3-null allele are inviable. They arrest the cell cycle at cytokinesis without forming a contractile ring. DNA sequence analysis of the cdc3+ gene reveals that it encodes profilin, an actin-monomer-binding protein. In light of recent studies with profilins, we propose that Cdc3-profilin plays an essential role in cytokinesis by catalyzing the formation of the F-actin contractile ring. Consistent with this proposal are our observations that Cdc3-profilin localizes to the medial region of the cell where the F-actin contractile ring forms, and that it is essential for F-actin ring formation. Cells overproducing Cdc3-profilin become elongated, dumbbell shaped, and arrest at cytokinesis without any detectable F-actin staining. This effect of Cdc3-profilin overproduction is relieved by introduction of a multicopy plasmid carrying the actin encoding gene, act1+. We attribute these effects to potential sequestration of actin monomers by profilin, when present in excess.

Actins↗

Monoacylglycerol lipase from moderately thermophilic Bacillus sp. strain H-257: molecular cloning, sequencing, and expression in Escherichia coli of the gene.

Monoacylglycerol lipase [MGLP, EC 3.1.1.23] is produced intracellularly by the moderately thermophilic Bacillus sp. strain H-257. The gene encoding MGLP was cloned, sequenced, and expressed in Escherichia coli. A genomic library of Bacillus sp. strain H-257, prepared in the plasmid vector pACYC184, was screened with a 0.2-kbp DNA fragment amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with oligonucleotide primers designed based on the amino acid sequence of a purified MGLP. The plasmid pMGLP31, identified by hybridization with the amplified DNA fragment, contained a 5.3-kbp insert from Bacillus sp. strain H-257 DNA. Sequence analysis of the MGLP gene revealed an open reading frame encoding MGLP consisting of 250 amino acids, with a calculated molecular mass of 27.4 kDa. The deduced amino acid sequence of MGLP contained the consensus pentapeptide (-Gly-Xaa-Ser-Xaa-Gly-), which is conserved among lipases, esterases, and serine proteases. The MGLP is homologous to a putative esterase/lipase from Streptomyces coelicolor (41.8% homology). When pMGLP31 was introduced into E. coli DH1, the transformants produced MGLP intracellularly as an active form to an approximately 13.8-fold greater extent than Bacillus sp. strain H-257. The purified recombinant MGLP was shown to be identical to the native enzyme in terms of chromatographic behavior, isoelectric point, and physicochemical and catalytic properties.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Global regulation of expression of antifungal factors by a Pseudomonas fluorescens biological control strain.

The root-colonizing bacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens BL915 protects a variety of seedlings from damping-off disease caused by the fungal pathogen Rhizoctonia solani. Spontaneous pleiotropic mutants of P. fluorescens strain BL915 which fail to synthesize antifungal factors such as chitinase, cyanide, and pyrrolnitrin and exhibit altered colony morphology were isolated. Such mutants fail to inhibit the growth of R. solani in vitro, and their biological control capability is sharply reduced. We characterized a genomic DNA fragment from strain BL915 which, when introduced into these pleiotropic mutants, restored the lost functions, the wild-type colony morphology, and bio-control activity. DNA sequence analysis of the genomic fragment revealed the presence of genes homologous to those of numerous bacterial global regulatory systems and identified a cluster of genes identical in organization to the Escherichia coli gene cluster consisting of uvrY, uvrC, pgsA, and glyW. Coordinate biosynthesis of multiple antifungal products in some heterologous Pseudomonas strains in response to the introduction of the strain BL915 genomic fragment confirmed the regulatory nature of sequences contained on this fragment. Further genetic analysis indicated a gene homologous to response regulators of bacterial two-component systems was sufficient to complement the pleiotropic mutants and to activate antifungal genes in heterologous strains. Marker exchange of a truncated version of this gene into the P. fluorescens BL915 chromosome generated pleiotropic mutants indistinguishable from the original spontaneous mutants. Cloning and sequencing of the response regulator gene from several spontaneous mutants allowed identification of various nucleotide changes associated with the gene in such mutants.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The ribR gene encodes a monofunctional riboflavin kinase which is involved in regulation of the Bacillus subtilis riboflavin operon.

A 3.5 kb EcoRI-BamHI fragment of Bacillus subtilis chromosomal DNA carrying the ribR gene, involved in regulation of the B. subtilis riboflavin operon, was cloned in the B. subtilis-Escherichia coli shuttle vector pCB20. DNA sequence analysis of this fragment revealed several ORFs, one of which encodes a polypeptide of 230 amino acids with up to 45% sequence identity with FAD synthetases from a number of micro-organisms, such as Corynebacterium ammoniagenes, E. coli and Pseudomonas fluorescens, and also to the ribC gene product of B. subtilis. The ribR gene was amplified by PCR, cloned and expressed in E. coli. Measurement of flavokinase activity in cell extracts demonstrated that ribR encodes a monofunctional flavokinase which converts riboflavin into FMN but not to FAD, and is specific for the reduced form of riboflavin.

Amino Acid Sequence↗