Nucleotide sequences of transcription and translation initiation regions in Bacillus phage phi 29 early genes

Unraveling the plasticity of translation initiation in prokaryotes: Beyond the invariant Shine-Dalgarno sequence

Translation initiation in prokaryotes is mainly defined, although not exclusively, by the interaction between the anti-Shine-Dalgarno sequence (antiSD), located at the 3'-terminus of the 16S ribosomal RNA, and a complementary sequence, the ribosome binding site, or Shine-Dalgarno (SD), located upstream of the start codon in prokaryotic mRNAs. The antiSD has a conserved 5'-CCUCC-3' core, but inter-species variations have been found regarding the participation of flanking bases in binding. These variations have been described for certain bacteria and, to a lesser extent, for some archaea. To further analyze these variations, we conducted binding-energy prediction analyses on over 6,400 genomic sequences from both domains. We identified 15 groups of antiSD variants that could be associated with the organisms' phylogenetic origin. Additionally, our findings revealed that certain organisms exhibit variations in the core itself. Importantly, an unaltered core is not necessarily required for the interaction between the 3'-terminus of the rRNA and the region preceding the AUG of the mRNA. In our study, we classified organisms into four distinct categories: i) those possessing a conserved core and demonstrating binding; ii) those with a conserved core but lacking evidence of binding; iii) those exhibiting binding in the absence of a conserved core; and iv) those lacking both a conserved core and evidence of binding. Our results demonstrate the flexibility of organisms in evolving different sequences involved in translation initiation beyond the traditional Shine-Dalgarno sequence. These findings are discussed in terms of the evolution of translation initiation in prokaryotic organisms.

Elucidating the 16S rRNA 3' boundaries and defining optimal SD/aSD pairing in Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis using RNA-Seq data

Bacterial translation initiation is influenced by base pairing between the Shine-Dalgarno (SD) sequence in the 5' UTR of mRNA and the anti-SD (aSD) sequence at the free 3' end of the 16S rRNA (3' TAIL) due to: 1) the SD/aSD sequence binding location and 2) SD/aSD binding affinity. In order to understand what makes an SD/aSD interaction optimal, we must define: 1) terminus of the 3' TAIL and 2) extent of the core aSD sequence within the 3' TAIL. Our approach to characterize these components in Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis involves 1) mapping the 3' boundary of the mature 16S rRNA using high-throughput RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq), and 2) identifying the segment within the 3' TAIL that is strongly preferred in SD/aSD pairing. Using RNA-Seq data, we resolve previous discrepancies in the reported 3' TAIL in B. subtilis and recovered the established 3' TAIL in E. coli. Furthermore, we extend previous studies to suggest that both highly and lowly expressed genes favor SD sequences with intermediate binding affinity, but this trend is exclusive to SD sequences that complement the core aSD sequences defined herein.

How Changes in Anti-SD Sequences Would Affect SD Sequences in Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis

The 3' end of the small ribosomal RNAs (ssu rRNA) in bacteria is directly involved in the selection and binding of mRNA transcripts during translation initiation via well-documented interactions between a Shine-Dalgarno (SD) sequence located upstream of the initiation codon and an anti-SD (aSD) sequence at the 3' end of the ssu rRNA. Consequently, the 3' end of ssu rRNA (3'TAIL) is strongly conserved among bacterial species because a change in the region may impact the translation of many protein-coding genes. Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis differ in their 3' ends of ssu rRNA, being GAUCACCUCCUUA3' in E. coli and GAUCACCUCCUUUCU3' or GAUCACCUCCUUUCUA3' in B. subtilis Such differences in 3'TAIL lead to species-specific SDs (designated SD_Ec for E. coli and SD_Bs for B. subtilis) that can form strong and well-positioned SD/aSD pairing in one species but not in the other. Selection mediated by the species-specific 3'TAIL is expected to favor SD_Bs against SD_Ec in B. subtilis, but favor SD_Ec against SD_Bs in E. coli Among well-positioned SDs, SD_Ec is used more in E. coli than in B. subtilis, and SD_Bs more in B. subtilis than in E. coli Highly expressed genes and genes of high translation efficiency tend to have longer SDs than lowly expressed genes and genes with low translation efficiency in both species, but more so in B. subtilis than in E. coli Both species overuse SDs matching the bolded part of the 3'TAIL shown above. The 3'TAIL difference contributes to the host specificity of phages.

Defining the bacteroides ribosomal binding site

The human gastrointestinal tract, in particular the colon, hosts a vast number of commensal microorganisms. Representatives of the genus Bacteroides are among the most abundant bacterial species in the human colon. Bacteroidetes diverged from the common line of eubacterial descent before other eubacterial groups. As a result, they employ unique transcription initiation signals and, because of this uniqueness, they require specific genetic tools. Although some tools exist, they are not optimal for studying the roles and functions of these bacteria in the human gastrointestinal tract. Focusing on translation initiation signals in Bacteroides, we created a series of expression vectors allowing for different levels of protein expression in this genus, and we describe the use of pepI from Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. lactis as a novel reporter gene for Bacteroides. Furthermore, we report the identification of the 3' end of the 16S rRNA of Bacteroides ovatus and analyze in detail its ribosomal binding site, thus defining a core region necessary for efficient translation, which we have incorporated into the design of our expression vectors. Based on the sequence logo information from the 5' untranslated region of other Bacteroidales ribosomal protein genes, we conclude that our findings are relevant to all members of this order.

DNA bending and looping in the transcriptional control of bacteriophage phi29

Recent studies on the regulation of phage phi29 gene expression reveal new ways to accomplish the processes required for the orderly gene expression in prokaryotic systems. These studies revealed a novel DNA-binding domain in the phage main transcriptional regulator and the nature and dynamics of the multimeric DNA-protein complex responsible for the switch from early to late gene expression. This review describes the features of the regulatory mechanism that leads to the simultaneous activation and repression of transcription, and discusses it in the context of the role of the topological modification of the DNA carried out by two phage-encoded proteins working synergistically with the DNA.

Identification of residues within two regions involved in self-association of viral histone-like protein p6 from phage theta29

Protein p6 of Bacillus subtilis phage theta29 is involved in the initiation of viral DNA replication and transcription by forming a multimeric nucleoprotein complex with the phage DNA. Based on this, together with its abundance and its capacity to bind to the whole viral genome, it has been proposed to be a viral histone-like protein. Protein p6 is in a monomer-dimer-oligomer equilibrium association. We have identified protein p6 mutants deficient in self-association by testing random mutants obtained by degenerated polymerase chain reaction in an in vivo assay for dimer formation. The mutations were mainly clustered in two regions located at the N terminus, and the central part of the protein. Site-directed single mutants, corresponding to those found in vivo, have been constructed and purified. Mutant p6A44V, located at the central part of the protein, showed an impaired dimer formation ability, and a reduced capacity to bind DNA and to activate the initiation of O29 DNA replication. Mutant p6I8T has at least 10-fold reduced self-association capacity, does not bind DNA nor activate O29 DNA initiation of replication. C-terminal deletion mutants showed an enhanced dimer formation capacity. The highly acidic tail, removed in these mutants, is proposed to modulate the protein p6 self-association.

Effect of host bacteria genotype on spontaneous reversions of Bacillus subtilis bacteriophage phi29 sus17 nonsense codon

Gene 17 of Bacillus subtilis bacteriophage Phi29 is an early gene playing a role in DNA replication. Its mutant sus17(112) carries the TAA nonsense triplet at the fifth codon of the gene. We isolated and sequenced 73 spontaneous revertants producing normal-size plaques on bacteria without an informational suppressor gene. In all revertants, the TAA triplet was changed by a one-base substitution and the sequences CAA, AAA, TTA, TAC and TAT were recovered at its place. The spectrum of these mutations was markedly influenced by the genotype of the bacteria in which the revertants arose. In agreement with the results described in Escherichia coli, the ratio of transversions to transitions (CAA being the only transition acceptable) was higher in strains harboring the functional allele recA(+) than in those with recA4. Our results support the idea that also in the Gram-positive B. subtilis, the spectra of spontaneous mutations are specifically modified by an SOS function. It is assumed that the single-stranded DNA chains generated in the course of phage DNA replication might act as an inducing factor.

Oligomeric structures of the phage phi29 histone-like protein p6

Protein p6 of Bacillus subtilis phage phi29 has been described as a histone-like protein, playing a role in genome organization and compaction, on the basis of its high intracellular abundance, its pleiotropic effect, and its ability to bind and highly compact the whole phi29 DNA in vitro. Protein p6 forms large multimeric nucleoprotein complexes in which a right-handed superhelical DNA wraps toroidally around the protein core. Analytical ultracentrifugation analysis, at the concentration estimated in vivo (at least 1 mM), showed that protein p6 self-associates into elongated oligomers, suggesting that, in the absence of DNA, the protein could form a scaffold for DNA binding. In this work we have studied the structure of these oligomers by transmission electron microscopy and image processing. The results show that protein p6 aggregates into crooked-shaped oligomers, compatible with a helical structure. The oligomers could interact head-to-tail to form doughnut-shaped structures or they could grow into right-handed double-helical filaments by a nucleation-dependent polymerization process. The dimensions of the crooked-shaped structures are in agreement with that of the DNA in the nucleoprotein complex previously described. We propose that the crooked-shaped structures could act as a scaffold imposing the right-handed path followed by the DNA, and thus it could be considered a non-transient DNA chaperone.

Isolation and characterization of three Streptococcus pneumoniae transformation-specific loci by use of a lacZ reporter insertion vector

Although more than a dozen new proteins are produced when Streptococcus pneumoniae cells become competent for genetic transformation, only a few of the corresponding genes have been identified to date. To find genes responsible for the production of competence-specific proteins, a random lacZ transcriptional fusion library was constructed in S. pneumoniae by using the insertional lacZ reporter vector pEVP3. Screening the library for clones with competence-specific beta-galactosidase (beta-Gal) production yielded three insertion mutants with induced beta-Gal levels of about 4, 10, and 40 Miller units. In all three clones, activation of the lacZ reporter correlated with competence and depended on competence-stimulating peptide. Chromosomal loci adjacent to the integrated vector were subcloned from the insertion mutants, and their nucleotide sequences were determined. Genes at two of the loci exhibited strong similarity to parts of Bacillus subtilis com operons. One locus contained open reading frames (ORFs) homologous to the comEA and comEC genes in B. subtilis but lacked a comEB homolog. A second locus contained four ORFs with homology to the B. subtilis comG gene ORFs 1 to 4, but comG gene ORFs 5 to 7 were replaced in S. pneumoniae with an ORF encoding a protein homologous to transport ATP-binding proteins. Genes at all three loci were confirmed to be required for transformation by mutagenesis using pEVP3 for insertion duplications or an erm cassette for gene disruptions.

Identification and characterization of the ccdA gene, required for cytochrome c synthesis in Bacillus subtilis

The gram-positive, endospore-forming bacterium Bacillus subtilis contains several membrane-bound c-type cytochromes. We have isolated a mutant pleiotropically deficient in cytochromes c. The responsible mutation resides in a gene which we have named ccdA (cytochrome c defective). This gene is located at 173 degrees on the B. subtilis chromosome. The ccdA gene was found to be specifically required for synthesis of cytochromes of the c type. CcdA is a predicted 26-kDa integral membrane protein with no clear similarity to any known cytochrome c biogenesis protein but seems to be related to a part of Escherichia coli DipZ/DsbD. The ccdA gene is cotranscribed with two other genes. These genes encode a putative 13.5-kDa single-domain response regulator, similar to B. subtilis CheY and Spo0F, and a predicted 18-kDa hydrophobic protein with no similarity to any protein in databases, respectively. Inactivation of the three genes showed that only ccdA is required for cytochrome c synthesis. The results also demonstrated that cytochromes of the c type are not needed for growth of B. subtilis.

Activation of replication origins in phi29-related phages requires the recognition of initiation proteins to specific nucleoprotein complexes

Protein p6 of Bacillus subtilis phage phi29 activates the initiation of viral DNA replication by forming a multimeric nucleoprotein complex at the origins of replication, located at both ends of the linear genome. This activation requires a precise positioning of the protein p6 array with respect to the initiation site. To investigate this activation mechanism, we have purified the phi29 protein p6 counterparts from the related phages Nf and GA-1 and analyzed the formation of complexes with DNA. In the homologous protein p6-DNA complexes the phi29 and Nf protein arrays showed an identical positioning, different than that of the GA-1 protein array. In contrast, in the heterologous complexes the protein showed a different arrangement except in the case of the Nf protein-phi29 DNA complex. We have also purified the proteins involved in the initiation of replication (terminal protein and DNA polymerase) from phages Nf and GA-1 and measured the ability of the different p6 proteins to activate homologous and heterologous replication origins. The results obtained indicate that the activation requires not only the formation of a specific nucleoprotein complex but also its specific recognition by the proteins involved in the initiation of DNA replication.

The cytochrome bc complex (menaquinone:cytochrome c reductase) in Bacillus subtilis has a nontraditional subunit organization

We have identified an operon in Bacillus subtilis, designated qcr, that is thought to encode a quinone: cytochrome c reductase. Northern (RNA blot) analysis suggests a tricistronic operon. The operon is located at about 200 degrees on the B. subtilis map. Disruption of the operon leads to loss of a 22-kDa cytochrome c from membrane preparations. The structure of the putative protein products of the qcr operon suggests a protein complex that is closely related to but distinct from known cytochrome bc1 and b6f complexes, which catalyze electron transfer from a quinol to a c-type cytochrome or to plastocyanin. QcrA is similar to Rieske-type iron-sulfur proteins; QcrB is similar in size and sequence to b-type cytochromes from b6f complexes; and QcrC has a novel structure that resembles a fusion of a subunit IV (found in b6f complexes) to a cytochrome c. Transcription of the operon is induced at the end of exponential growth from a sigma A-like promoter. This transition state induction appears to be dependent on the downregulation of abrB expression, which is mediated by Spo0A activation. As bacteria move from the transition state into sporulation, transcription of the operon is reduced in a sigma F-dependent manner.

Competence for genetic transformation in Streptococcus pneumoniae: organization of a regulatory locus with homology to two lactococcin A secretion genes

Regulation of competence for genetic transformation in Streptococcus pneumoniae involves the comAB locus and a small extracellular protein, the competence factor (CF). The comA or comB mutations block both spontaneous competence induction and elaboration of CF, yet permit induction of competence by added CF and subsequent transformation at normal levels. Sequence and genetic studies showed that the com locus comprised the comA and comB genes, encoding 77- and 50-kDa proteins, respectively, and demonstrated that they were closely flanked by genes and DNA not required for competence regulation. In-frame deletion of comA demonstrated that the translation product of this gene is required for normal competence regulation; deletion-replacement mutations showed that no com gene lay in the 0.2-kb gap between comB and purC or within 2.5 kb upstream from comA. Strong sequence similarities (51-59% identities) showed that ComA and the proteins, PdcD and LcnC, which act in the secretion of pediocin A-1 and lactococcin A, respectively, form a subfamily within the large ABC-transporter protein family. ComB was found to be homologous to a single known protein, LcnD, required for secretion of the peptide antibiotic lactococcin A. Thus, the comAB locus displays homology to two lactococcin A secretion genes, but is devoid of additional linked com genes. The results suggest that the mechanism for CF production is similar to that for the small peptide bacteriocins, lactococcin A and pediocin A-1, but that its genetic organization is unusual in being split into at least two separate operons.

A genetic approach to the identification of functional amino acids in protein p6 of Bacillus subtilis phage phi 29

Protein p6 of the Bacillus subtilis phage phi 29 is essential for in vivo viral DNA replication. This protein activates the initiation of phi 29 DNA replication in vitro by forming a multimeric nucleoprotein complex at the replication origins. The N-terminal region of protein p6 is involved in DNA binding, as shown by in vitro studies with p6 proteins altered by deletions or missense mutations. We report on the development of an in vivo functional assay for protein p6. This assay is based on the ability of protein p6-producing B. subtilis non-suppressor (su) cells to support growth of a phi 29 sus6 mutant phage. We have used this trans-complementation assay to investigate the effect on in vivo viral DNA synthesis of missense mutations introduced into the protein p6 N-terminal region. The alteration of lysine to alanine at position 2 resulted in a partially functional protein, whereas the replacement of arginine by alanine at position 6 gave rise to an inactive protein. These results indicate that arginine at position 6 is critical for the in vivo activity of protein p6. Our complementation system provides a useful genetic approach for the identification of functionally important amino acids in protein p6.

DNA structure in the nucleoprotein complex that activates replication of phage phi 29

Initiation of phage phi 29 DNA replication is activated by the viral protein p6 which forms a nucleoprotein complex at the replication origins, located at the linear genome ends. The complex consists of a DNA right-handed superhelix wrapped around a multimeric protein core. We have determined the superhelical path of the DNA in the complex, measuring the change in linking number induced by the protein, the surface-related helical repeat and the compaction of the DNA. One superhelical turn has approximately 63 bp (2.6 p6 dimers). Furthermore, we have determined that the DNA binding domain of protein p6 is located at the N-terminal region, predicted to form an amphipathic alpha-helix. We have obtained, by site-directed mutagenesis, protein p6 mutants in the polar side of the putative helix in which their DNA binding and replication activation properties were impaired or undetectable, in agreement with in vivo results.

Phage phi 29 protein p6: a viral histone-like protein

Phage phi 29 protein p6 is one of the most abundant viral proteins in phi 29-infected B subtilis cells, constituting about 4% of the total cellular proteins (about 3 x 10(6) copies/cell) at late infection. Electron microscopic studies showed that, in vitro, protein p6 forms heterogeneously-sized complexes all along phi 29 DNA, suggesting that protein p6 may have a role in genome packaging and organization. The low stability of the protein p6-phi 29 DNA complexes observed in vitro could reflect the dynamic nature of these complexes, to allow replication, transcription, and encapsidation of the genome. The protein p6-DNA complex consists of a DNA right-handed superhelix wrapped around a multimeric protein core. The DNA in this complex is strongly distorted and compacted. Protein p6 recognition signals have been mapped near the ends of the linear phi 29 DNA and act as nucleation sites for complex formation. Protein p6 does not recognize a specific sequence, but sequences with specific bendable properties that would favor the formation of the complex. Protein p6 represses transcription from the phi 29 C2 early promoter, and activates initiation of phi 29 DNA replication that occurs from both DNA ends. The formation of nucleoprotein complexes at the origins of replication, as well as the specific positioning of protein p6 with respect to the DNA ends are required for the activation of replication. This suggests that the proteins involved in the initiation step of phi 29 DNA replication, either directly interact with protein p6, or recognize a conformational change at a specific location in the DNA. The mechanism of activation could be the local and transient unpairing of DNA at specific sites, facilitated by the strong distortion of DNA conformation in the nucleoprotein complex.

A cytotoxic early gene of Bacillus subtilis bacteriophage SPO1

Some of the early genes of Bacillus subtilis bacteriophage SPO1 were hypothesized to function in the shutoff of host biosyntheses. Two of these genes, e3 and e22, were cloned and sequenced. E22 showed no similarity to any known protein, while E3, a highly acidic protein, showed significant similarity only to other similarly acidic proteins. Each gene was immediately downstream of a very active early promoter. Each was expressed actively during the first few minutes of infection and was then rapidly shut off and its RNA rapidly degraded. An e3 nonsense mutation severely retarded the degradation of e3 RNA. Expression of a plasmid-borne e3 gene, in either B. subtilis or Escherichia coli, resulted in the inhibition of host DNA, RNA, and protein syntheses and prevented colony formation. However, the e3 nonsense mutation caused no measurable decrease in either burst size or host shutoff during infection and, in fact, caused an increased burst size at high multiplicities of infection. We suggest that e3 is one of several genes involved in host shutoff, that its function is dispensable both for host shutoff and for phage multiplication, and that its shutoff function is not entirely specific to host activities.

Identification of a purC gene from Streptococcus pneumoniae

A gene encoding 5'-phosphoribosyl-5-aminoimidazole-4-N-succinocarboxamide synthetase was identified in Streptococcus pneumoniae as a 708-bp segment of the genome encoding a 27,001-Da protein with strong similarity to known PurC proteins. The S. pneumoniae purC gene, found immediately adjacent to the competence induction genes, comAB, was cloned and sequenced. The predicted protein product of purC displayed substantial (> 40%) identity to the entire sequence of the PurC proteins of Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli. Function of the S. pneumoniae gene product was demonstrated by complementation of E. coli purC mutations.

Protein expression from an Escherichia coli/Bacillus subtilis multifunctional shuttle plasmid with synthetic promoter sequences

A plasmid shuttle vector (pSP10) was designed and constructed to simplify screening of cloned DNA and to facilitate expression of the protein products. The plasmid contained the following features: (i) a selection gene, chloramphenicol acetyltransferase; (ii) an indicator gene encoding beta-galactosidase for visual identification of colonies containing DNA inserts; (iii) a cloning region immediately upstream from the indicator gene; (iv) origins of replication recognized by both Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis; and (v) a synthetic DNA expression control sequence, including -35 and -10 regions, ribosomal binding site, and transcriptional and translational start sites. The promoter region is a synthetic consensus sequence derived from published B. subtilis promoters. The plasmid has been shown to replicate actively in E. coli and B. subtilis and to confer chloramphenicol resistance to both hosts. DNA inserted at the cloning region inactivates the indicator gene, resulting in white colonies on 5'-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside plates. beta-Galactosidase has been expressed from pSP10 in both E. coli and B. subtilis. A comparison was made of the expression levels of beta-galactosidase from the same plasmid which had been modified to contain: (i) the synthetic control region, (ii) no promoter region, (iii) the synthetic control region cloned in the opposite orientation, or (iv) the tac promoter.

Analysis of an mRNA exhibiting anomalous translational specificity

Gene 6 mRNA of Bacillus subtilis phage phi 29 is inefficiently translated under standard in vitro conditions by Escherichia coli, while it is efficiently translated by the in vitro system derived from B. subtilis. This is a rare example of the inability of E. coli to translate mRNA translated by B. subtilis. The ionic condition in the translation systems was the key component in the differential recognition of the gene 6 message by E. coli and B. subtilis ribosomes. Its translation by E. coli ribosomes was preferentially inhibited by moderate levels of KCl, while its translation by B. subtilis ribosomes was unaffected by these concentrations of salt. This preferential inhibition with E. coli ribosomes was observed in vitro as well as in vivo. While not influencing the general phenomenon of preferential inhibition, anion-specific effects were observed in overall protein synthesis. Glutamate and acetate promoted efficient synthesis over a broad range of concentrations, whereas chloride was inhibitory at all concentrations tested.

Genetic transformation in Streptococcus pneumoniae: nucleotide sequence analysis shows comA, a gene required for competence induction, to be a member of the bacterial ATP-dependent transport protein family

The complete nucleotide sequence of comA, a gene required for induction of competence for genetic transformation in Streptococcus pneumoniae, was determined by using plasmid DNA templates and synthetic oligonucleotide primers. The sequence contained a single large open reading frame, ORF1, of 2,151 bp. ORF1 was included within the comAB locus previously mapped genetically and accounted for 50% of its extent. The predicted molecular weight of the largest polypeptide encoded within ORF1, 80,290, coincided with that measured previously (77,000) for the product of in vitro transcription-translation of the cloned comA locus. A Shine-Dalgarno sequence (AAAGGAG, delta G = -14 kcal) lay immediately upstream of ORF1. A sequence (TTtAat-17 bp-TAaAAT) similar to the Escherichia coli sigma 70 promoter consensus was located 410 bp upstream of ORF1. The deduced protein sequence of ComA showed a very strong similarity to the E. coli hemolysin secretion protein, HlyB, and strong similarities to other members of the family of ATP-dependent transport proteins, including the mammalian multidrug resistance P-glycoprotein. These similarities suggest that ComA functions in the transport of some molecule, possibly pneumococcal competence factor itself.

Sequences and homology analysis of two genes encoding beta-glucosidases from Bacillus polymyxa

The nucleotide sequences of the bglA and bglB genes encoding beta-glucosidases from Bacillus polymyxa have been determined. Both genes contain coding regions of 1344 bp, corresponding to polypeptides with Mrs of 51,643 and 51,547, respectively. Patterns of codon usage indicate that both genes are expressed at a low frequency. Previous data suggested that the proteins encoded by bglA and bglB were intra- and extracellular enzymes, respectively; however, neither of the two deduced amino acid sequences has N termini with the typical features of a leader peptide. The proteins encoded by bglA and bglB show remarkable homology to each other and to other beta-glucosidases (Bgl) and beta-galactosidases (beta Gal). On the basis of the observed homologies, we can define two groups of microbial Bgl: one of them, type I, including most bacterial Bgl, and type II, including enzymes from different yeast species and one from Clostridium thermocellum. Likewise, at least two groups of beta Gal can be distinguished: type I, including enzymes homologous to type-I Bgl, and type II, showing no homology to any of the previous groups.

Deletions at the N terminus of bacteriophage phi 29 protein p6: DNA binding and activity in phi 29 DNA replication

Deletions corresponding to the first 5 or 13 amino acids (aa), not counting the initial Met, have been introduced into the N terminus of the phage phi 29 protein p6. The activity of such proteins in the in vitro phi 29 DNA replication system, their capacity to interact with the phi 29 DNA ends, and their interference with the wild type (wt) protein p6 activity have been studied. The initiation activity of protein p6 decreased considerably when 5 as were deleted and was undetectable when 13 aa were removed. The mutant proteins were unable to specifically interact with the phi 29 DNA ends. These results indicate the need of an intact N terminus for the activity of protein p6. However, such N-truncated proteins inhibited both the specific binding of the wt protein p6 to the phi 29 DNA ends and its activity in phi 29 DNA replication.

Characterization of a promoter and a transcription terminator of Spiroplasma melliferum virus SpV4

Spiroplasma virus 4 (SpV4) is an isometric virus with single-stranded, circular DNA infecting the helical mollicute Spiroplasma melliferum, a honeybee pathogen. Previous studies in our laboratory led to the determination of the base sequence of the SpV4 DNA. Nine open reading frames and three promoterlike sequences (P1, P2, and P3) were identified. An inverted repeat leading to the formation of a hairpin structure on the transcription product was also found and predicted to be a transcription terminator (T). We have now studied the in vivo transcription of the SpV4 genome by Northern (RNA) blot analysis of the total RNAs extracted from SpV4-infected spiroplasma cells. Transcripts of 7.8, 4.4, 3.4, and 2.7 kilobases (kb) were detected. The 3.4-kb RNA was the major transcript. The 5' and 3' ends of this transcript were determined by S1 mapping and primer extension. Characterization of the 3' end by S1 mapping showed that the 3.4-kb transcript terminates within the stretch of uridine residues following the hairpin structure of terminator T. Characterization of the 5' end by S1 mapping indicated that transcription proceeds from a newly recognized promoter, P0, located 36 nucleotides upstream of P1. Primer extension resulted in two cDNA signals. The short cDNA was probably a primer extension artifact due to the presence of a hairpin structure on the transcript. When reverse transcriptase stopped at this hairpin or read through, the short or the long cDNA, respectively, was obtained. The size of the long cDNA identified P0 as the transcription promoter. Promoter P0 was also shown to be functional in Escherichia coli. Indeed, when inserted upstream of the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene of a promoter selection vector, it promoted transcription of this gene. As in the case of S. melliferum, two cDNAs were obtained by primer extension, the longer cDNA identifying P0 as the promoter.

DNA sequence of folate biosynthesis gene sulD, encoding hydroxymethyldihydropterin pyrophosphokinase in Streptococcus pneumoniae, and characterization of the enzyme

A cloned segment of the chromosome of Streptococcus pneumoniae, in which mutations to sulfonamide resistance occur, contains several genes encoding enzymes for folate biosynthesis. Determination of the DNA sequence of parts of this segment and identification of a putative promoter and terminator of transcription indicate an operon composed of four genes. The first, sulA, encodes the enzyme dihydropteroate synthase. The functions of the second and third possible genes, sulB and sulC, are not known. The last gene, sulD, encodes a 6-hydroxymethyl-7,8-dihydropterin pyrophosphokinase. The product of this enzyme is the substrate for dihydropteroate synthetase. The enzyme protein was partially purified and shown to consist of a single subunit of 31 kilodaltons, encoded by sulD. On the basis of gel filtration behavior, the native protein appears to be a trimer or tetramer. Subcloning of the sulD gene in an Escherichia coli expression vector increased expression of the pyrophosphokinase 1,000-fold over the level produced by a single copy of the chromosomal gene.

Streptococcus pneumoniae possesses canonical Escherichia coli (sigma 70) promoters

Seventeen DNA fragments from Streptococcus pneumoniae were randomly cloned in Escherichia coli with selection for promoter activity. The fragments were sequenced and the promoter locations were determined by primer extension analysis. Examination for sites similar to the E. coli major consensus promoter sequence revealed such a site in each of the seventeen fragments, located five to eight base pairs upstream of the point at which transcription was initiated in the E. coli host. Thus, the abundance of promoter activity found in pneumococcal DNA cloned in E. coli hosts arises primarily from sigma-70-type promoter structures. Combined with the observation that such sequences are usually found just upstream of, but not within, pneumococcal genes, this implies that one class (perhaps the major class) of pneumococcal promoters closely resembles the canonical E. coli promoter consensus.

Genetic transformation in Streptococcus pneumoniae: nucleotide sequence and predicted amino acid sequence of recP

We present the complete nucleotide sequence of recP, a locus required for high-efficiency recombination of chromosomal DNA during genetic transformation in Streptococcus pneumoniae. The sequence was determined by using plasmid DNA templates and synthetic oligonucleotide primers. The locus contained a single large open reading frame, ORF1, of 1,968 base pairs (bp). ORF1 is included within the recP locus previously mapped genetically and accounts for 94% of its extent. The predicted molecular weight of the largest polypeptide encoded within ORF1, 71,662, coincided with that measured previously (72,000) for the product of in vitro transcription-translation of the cloned recP locus. A Shine-Dalgarno sequence (AGAAAGGA; delta G = -17 kcal [ca. -71.1 kJ]) lay 6 bp upstream of ORF1. A sequence (TTGcat-17 bp-TATAAT) similar to the E. coli sigma-70 promoter consensus was located 52 bp upstream of ORF1. This putative promoter overlapped a structure consisting of two perfect inverted 10-bp repeats and a loop of 8 bp.

Lactobacillus hilgardii plasmid pLAB1000 consists of two functional cassettes commonly found in other gram-positive organisms

A Lactobacillus hilgardii plasmid, pLAB1000, was studied to understand the organization of autonomous replicons from lactobacilli. Two cassettes could be identified. First, the replication region consisted of a sequence coding for a replication protein (Rep) and its corresponding target site, similar to those from plasmids pUB110, pC194 (Staphylococcus aureus), pFTB14, pBAA1 (Bacillus sp.), and pLP1 (Lactobacillus sp.). Sequence analysis indicated the possible synthesis of an antisense RNA that might regulate Rep production. The results also suggested that pLAB1000 replicates via a single-stranded DNA intermediate, and a putative lagging-strand initiation site was found that had similarities to those of alpha 3, St-1, and G4 isometric bacteriophages. The second cassette of pLAB1000 consisted of a sequence coding for a putative mobilization protein (Mob) and its corresponding RSA site. This cassette was similar to those found in pT181, pUB110, pE194 (S. aureus), and pG12 (Bacillus sp.), and it was found to be conserved among different Lactobacillus plasmid replicons. The origin and evolution of these functional cassettes are also discussed.

The structure of the trpE, trpD and 5' trpC genes of Bacillus pumilus

The nucleotide (nt) sequences of the Bacillus pumilus trpE, trpD and 5' portions of trpC genes have been determined. Genetic analysis suggested the presence of an internal promoter upstream from the trpC gene, yet no typical consensus sequences were found. The nt and amino acid sequence homologies between the B. pumilus, Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli trp genes are presented.

Two Bacillus beta-mannanases having different COOH termini are produced in Escherichia coli carrying pMAH5

The nucleotide sequence was determined for the alkalophilic Bacillus sp. strain AM-001 beta-mannanase gene which produced two beta-mannanases (A and B) in Escherichia coli transformants. The putative beta-mannanase gene was 1,539 base pairs long and encoded a mature beta-mannanase protein of 487 amino acids and a signal peptide of 26 amino acids. The COOH-terminal amino acid of beta-mannanase A is an arginine residue located at amino acid 513 of the deduced amino acid sequence, and that of beta-mannanase B is a valine residue located at amino acid 365. Deletion derivatives having 1,098 base pairs from the ATG start codon maintained the beta-mannanase activity of the encoded polypeptide. However, clones harboring DNA fragments (1,051 base pairs) shorter than the gene which encoded beta-mannanase B (1,095 base pairs) did not exhibit the beta-mannanase activity. The simultaneous production of both beta-mannanases A and B in an E. coli transformant was demonstrated by the maxicell procedure.

Sequence and transcription mapping of Bacillus subtilis competence genes comB and comA, one of which is related to a family of bacterial regulatory determinants

The complete nucleotide sequences of the comA and comB loci of Bacillus subtilis were determined. The products of these genes are required for the development of competence in B. subtilis and for the expression of late-expressing competence genes. The major 5' termini of both the comA and comB transcripts were determined. The inferred promoters of both comA and comB contained sequences that were similar to those found at the -10 and -35 regions of promoters that are used by sigma A-RNA polymerase, the primary form of this enzyme in vegetative cells. The comB gene was located approximately 3 kilobase pairs upstream of the comA gene and encoded a 409-amino-acid protein with a predicted molecular weight of 46,693. The comA locus contained two open reading frames (ORFs) and comB contained one ORF. The predicted amino acid sequence of the comA ORF1 gene product consisted of 214 amino acids, with an aggregate molecular weight of 24,132. The ORF1 product was required for competence, while ORF2, which was cotranscribed with ORF1 and encoded a predicted protein of 126 amino acids, was not. The predicted protein sequence of the comA ORF1 gene product was found to be similar to that of several members of the effector class of procaryotic signal transducers. The C-terminal portion of the predicted comA sequence contained a possible helix-turn-helix motif, which is characteristic of DNA-binding proteins. comA ORF1 was cloned on a multicopy plasmid and was shown to complement the competence-deficient phenotype caused by the comA124 insertion of Tn917lac. Also, the presence of comA ORF1 in multiple copies interfered with sporulation. Anti-peptide antibodies raised to the predicted product of comA ORF1 reacted strongly with a single protein band of about 24,000 daltons in immunoblots. The possible roles of multiple signal transduction systems in triggering the development of competence are discussed.

Nucleotide sequence and genetic organization of the Bacillus subtilis comG operon

A series of Tn917lac insertions define the comG region of the Bacillus subtilis chromosome. comG mutants are deficient in competence and specifically in the binding of exogenous DNA. The genes included in the comG region are first expressed during the transition from the exponential to the stationary growth phase. From nucleotide sequence information, it was concluded that the comG locus contains seven open reading frames (ORFs), several of which overlap at their termini. High-resolution S1 nuclease mapping and primer extension were used to identify the 5' terminus of the comG mRNA. The sequence upstream from the comG start site closely resembled the consensus recognition sequence for the major B. subtilis vegetative RNA polymerase holoenzyme. Complementation analysis confirmed that the comG ORF1 protein is required for the ability of competent cultures to resolve into two populations with different cell densities on Renografin (E. R. Squibb & Sons, Princeton, N.J.) gradients, as well as for full expression of comE, another late competence locus. The predicted comG ORF1 protein showed significant similarity to the virB ORF11 protein from Agrobacterium tumefaciens, which is probably involved in T-DNA transfer. The N-terminal sequences of comG ORF3 and, to a lesser extent, the comG ORF4 and ORF5 proteins were similar to a class of pilin proteins from members of the genera Bacteroides, Pseudomonas, Neisseria, and Moraxella. All of the comG proteins except comG ORF1 possessed hydrophobic domains that were potentially capable of spanning the bacterial membrane. It is likely that these proteins are membrane associated, and they may comprise part of the DNA transport machinery. When present in multiple copies, a DNA fragment carrying the comG promoter was capable of inhibiting the development of competence as well as the expression of several late com genes, suggesting a role for a transcriptional activator in the expression of those genes.

In vivo selected promoter and ribosome binding site up-mutations: demonstration that the Escherichia coli bla promoter and a Shine-Dalgarno region with low complementarity to the 16 S ribosomal RNA function in Bacillus subtilis

We have constructed a plasmid, pQS1, in which a mouse dihydrofolate reductase (5,6,7,8-tetrahydrofolate:NADP:oxidoreductase; EC 1.5.1.3; DHFR) cDNA is inserted in the unique PstI site of a gram-positive/gram-negative shuttle vector derived from pBR322. The cDNA is expressed under the control of the bla promoter, which, like most gram-negative bacterial genes, is considered not to be expressed in Bacillus subtilis, and its coding sequence is translated from a polycistronic message. We have selected in vivo and studied, in Escherichia coli and B. subtilis, expression mutants with promoter and ribosome binding site sequence mutations. One promoter mutation changes the third nucleotide of the -35 region from a C to a G. As expected, this substitution results in increased transcriptional activity in E. coli. In B. subtilis, this mutation induces the accumulation not only of a low but significant amount of dhfr mRNA but also of DHFR, demonstrating that binding strengths with a free energy as low as -9.4 kcal/mol are sufficient to promote ribosome binding in B. subtilis. The association of the promoter mutation (C-G) with a mutation which creates a strong B. subtilis ribosome binding site (-21 kcal/mol) results in the accumulation of a large amount of dhfr mRNA. This demonstrates the importance of having an efficient ribosome binding site in the evaluation of promoter function: for example, with this strong ribosome binding site we can show that the wild-type bla promoter is recognized by the B. subtilis transcription machinery.

Cloning, nucleotide sequence, and expression in Escherichia coli of the Bacillus stearothermophilus peroxidase gene (perA)

The gene encoding a thermostable peroxidase was cloned from the chromosomal DNA of Bacillus stearothermophilus IAM11001 in Escherichia coli. The nucleotide sequence of the 3.1-kilobase EcoRI fragment containing the peroxidase gene (perA) and its flanking region was determined. A 2,193-base-pair open reading frame encoding a peroxidase of 731 amino acid residues (Mr, 82,963) was observed. A Shine-Dalgarno sequence was found 9 base pairs upstream from the translational starting site. The deduced amino acid sequence coincides with those of the amino terminus and four peptides derived from the purified peroxidase of B. stearothermophilus IAM11001. E. coli harboring a recombinant plasmid containing perA produced a large amount of thermostable peroxidase which comigrated on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with the B. stearothermophilus peroxidase. The peroxidase of B. stearothermophilus showed 48% homology in the amino acid sequence to the catalase-peroxidase of E. coli.

Cloning of the flagellin gene from Bacillus subtilis and complementation studies of an in vitro-derived deletion mutation

The flagellin promoter and structural gene from Bacillus subtilis I168 was cloned and sequenced. The amino-terminal protein sequence deduced from the coding sequence of the cloned gene was identical to that of the amino terminus of purified flagellin, indicating that the export of this protein is not directed by a posttranslationally processed N-terminal signal peptide. A sequence that was homologous to that of a consensus sigma 28 RNA polymerase recognition site lay upstream of the proposed translational start site. Amplification of this promoter region on a multicopy plasmid resulted in the formation of long, filamentous cells that accumulated flagellin intracellularly. The chromosomal locus containing the wild-type flagellin allele was replaced with a defective allele of the gene (delta hag-633) that contained a 633-base-pair deletion. Transport analysis of various flagellin gene mutations expressed in the hag deletion strain suggest that the extreme C-terminal portion of flagellin is functionally involved in export of the protein.

Bacillus subtilis subtilisin gene (aprE) is expressed from a sigma A (sigma 43) promoter in vitro and in vivo

In vitro studies demonstrated that the Bacillus subtilis subtilisin gene (aprE) could be transcribed by RNA polymerase holoenzyme reconstituted from core and sigma A factor obtained from vegetative cells. Upstream deletions (from -45) reduced the amount of transcription from the promoter. A deletion downstream of the promoter that overlapped a putative downstream minor promoter did not affect transcription from the sigma A promoter, which indicated that the putative downstream promoter is not utilized in vivo. S1 nuclease mapping studies showed that there was a low level of transcription from the subtilisin promoter during the growth phase and that the site of transcription initiation was the same during log and stationary phases. We conclude from these findings that there is only one promoter for the subtilisin gene and that it can be transcribed by the sigma A form of RNA polymerase in vitro.

Characterization, overproduction and purification of the product of gene 1 of Bacillus subtilis phage phi 29

Unit-length phi 29 DNA was not synthesized after restrictive infection of Bacillus subtilis with the phi 29 mutant sus1(629) indicating that the phage phi 29 protein p1 is needed for the viral DNA replication. Sequencing of the ORF-6 of mutant sus1(629) showed that a C in the wild-type (wt) phage had been changed to a T at nt position 19 of the ORF-6, giving rise to a TAA ochre codon, indicating that this ORF corresponds to gene 1. ORF-6 was cloned in plasmid pPLc28 under the control of the pL promoter of phage lambda and, after induction, a protein of about 10 kDa was overproduced, which was absent in the corresponding cells harbouring a recombinant plasmid with the sus1(629) mutation, indicating that the 10-kDa protein is the product of gene 1. In addition, a protein of lower Mr was synthesized after induction of the cells harbouring recombinant plasmids with the wt or the sus1(629) DNA. Both proteins were purified and characterized by N-terminal sequence determination and amino acid analysis. The low-Mr protein, named delta 1, has a size of 6 kDa and corresponds to an internal in-phase initiation event in ORF-6.

Chromosomal location, cloning and nucleotide sequence of the Bacillus subtilis cdd gene encoding cytidine/deoxycytidine deaminase

The Bacillus subtilis cdd gene encoding cytidine/2'-deoxycytidine deaminase has been located by transduction at approximately 225 degrees on the chromosome, and the gene order trpC-lys-cdd-aroD was established. The gene was isolated from a library of B. subtilis DNA cloned in lambda D69 by complementation of an Escherichia coli cdd mutation. Minicell experiments revealed a molecular mass of 14,000 dalton for the cytidine deaminase subunit encoded by the cloned DNA fragment. The molecular weight of the native enzyme was determined to be 58,000, suggesting that it consists of four identical subunits. The nucleotide sequence of 1170 bp, including the cdd gene, was determined. An open reading frame encoding a polypeptide with a calculated molecular mass of 14,800 dalton was deduced to be the coding region for cdd. The deduced amino acid composition of the 136-amino acid-long subunit shows that it contains six cysteine residues. A computer search in the GenBank DNA sequence library revealed that the 476 bp HindIII fragment containing the putative promoter region and the first ten codons of cdd is identical to the P43 promoter-containing fragment previously isolated by Wang and Doi (1984). They showed that the fragment contained overlapping promoters transcribed by B. subtilis sigma 43 and sigma 37 RNA polymerase holoenzymes during growth and stationary phase.

Phosphoenolpyruvate:sugar phosphotransferase system of Bacillus subtilis: nucleotide sequence of ptsX, ptsH and the 5'-end of ptsI and evidence for a ptsHI operon

The nucleotide sequence of a 1689bp fragment of the Bacillus subtilis locus containing ptsX (a crr-like gene), ptsH (coding for HPr), and the 5'-end of ptsI (coding for Enzyme I) was determined. The deduced amino acid sequences of ptsH and the N-terminal part of ptsI were compared to those of Streptococcus faecalis and Escherichia coli. Transcription fusion demonstrated that ptsHI constitutes an operon. An open reading frame overlapping the main part of ptsH in the opposite sense was shown to be expressed in vivo, using protein fusions with beta-galactosidase. The deduced amino acid sequence of ptsX showed significant homology with that of Salmonella typhimurium glucose-specific Enzyme III. ptsX was preceded by an open reading frame whose amino acid sequence showed strong homology with the C-terminal part of E. coli Enzyme IIGlc.

Characterization and cloning of gene 5 of Bacillus subtilis phage phi 29

Sequencing of the phi 29 DNA region [open reading frames (ORFs) 12, 11 and 10] between genes 6 and 4 of the mutant ts5(219) showed that a G in the wild-type phage had been changed to an A in the mutant at position 218 of ORF 10 indicating that this ORF corresponds to gene 5. ORF 10 was cloned in plasmid pPLc28 under the control of the PL promoter of phage lambda and, after heat induction of the Escherichia coli cells carrying the recombinant plasmid pGM26, a 12-kDa protein was overproduced, accounting for about 5% of the de novo synthesized protein. Introduction of a nonsense mutation in ORF 10 indicated that the latter codes for the 12-kDa protein. The predicted secondary structure, the hydrophilicity values and the antigenic regions of protein p5 are discussed.

Mutations of the Escherichia coli lacUV5 promoter resulting in increased expression in Bacillus subtilis

The Escherichia coli lacUV5 promoter is used inefficiently by the major vegetative form of Bacillus subtilis RNA polymerase, despite very close adherence in the -35 and -10 regions to consensus sequences for promoters recognized by this enzyme. To select derivatives of this promoter with increased activity in B. subtilis, the lacUV5 promoter was fused to a promoter-less chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene and mutagenized by passage through an E. coli mutD5 mutator strain. Derivatives that conferred resistance to chloramphenicol in B. subtilis were isolated. Twenty-three independent isolates each contained single mutations in the 207 bp lac fragment. These mutations, which were in ten different positions, fell in two clusters. One set of mutations, located between positions -18 and -14, resulted in greater homology to a consensus sequence previously noted for this region in B. subtilis vegetative promoters. The remaining mutations were located near the transcription initiation site. The effects of these mutations and additional mutations constructed by oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis on expression in B. subtilis and E. coli was determined by measurements of chloramphenicol acetyltransferase activities directed by these promoters. While most mutations had little effect on expression in E. coli, the increase in activity in B. subtilis was as much as 28-fold.

Structural and immunochemical characterization of a ribosomal protein from gram-positive Micrococcus luteus which is functionally homologous to Escherichia coli ribosomal protein S1

Ribosomes from gram-positive Micrococcus luteus contain an acidic protein (ML-S1). ML-S1 has been purified by chromatography of ribosomes on a poly(U)-Sepharose column and the purified protein has a mobility in sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide gels similar to that of ribosomal protein S1 of Escherichia coli (apparent Mr 72,000). Protein ML-S1 reacted with E. coli anti-S1 serum with an immunological partial-identity reaction. ML-S1 also reacted with antibodies raised against two structural domains of E. coli S1 (the N-terminal ribosome-binding domain and central and C-terminal nucleic-acid-binding domain). Weak reaction with antiserum to the nucleic-acid-binding domain of E. coli S1 was observed. ML-S1 was digested with trypsin under mild and exhaustive conditions. Mild digestion resulted in the production of a trypsin-resistant core (ML-S1F1) like E. coli S1. The fragment pattern obtained after exhaustive digestion differed appreciably from that obtained with E. coli S1. ML-S1 bound to poly(U) as strongly as E. coli S1 and also showed appreciable binding to denatured DNA. Addition of ML-S1 to S1-depleted ribosomes from E. coli and M. luteus markedly stimulated the poly(U)-directed polyphenylalanine synthesis. Phage MS2-RNA-dependent translation was also found to be stimulated by ML-S1 although to a much lesser extent than the stimulation by E. coli S1. At a molar excess of ML-S1 to ribosomes the protein showed a similar inhibitory effect to E. coli S1 on polypeptide synthesis. Our data indicate that ML-S1 retained the structural domains important for its function despite certain structural differences from E. coli S1.

Endo-beta-1,4-glucanase gene of Bacillus subtilis DLG

The DNA sequence of the Bacillus subtilis DLG endo-beta-1,4-glucanase gene was determined, and the in vivo site of transcription initiation was located. Immediately upstream from the transcription start site were sequences closely resembling those recognized by B. subtilis sigma 43-RNA polymerase. Two possible ribosome-binding sites were observed downstream from the transcription start site. These were followed by a long open reading frame capable of encoding a protein of ca. 55,000 daltons. A signal sequence, typical of those present in gram-positive organisms, was observed at the amino terminus of the open reading frame. Purification of the mature exocellular beta-1,4-glucanase and subsequent amino-terminal protein sequencing defined the site of signal sequence processing to be between two alanine residues following the hydrophobic portion of the signal sequence. The probability of additional carboxy-terminal processing of the beta-1,4-glucanase precursor is discussed. S1 nuclease protection studies showed that the amount of beta-1,4-glucanase mRNA in cells increased significantly as the culture entered the stationary phase. In addition, glucose was found to dramatically stimulate the amount of beta-1,4-glucanase mRNA in vivo. Finally, the specific activities of purified B. subtilis DLG endo-beta-1,4-glucanase and Trichoderma reesei QM9414 endo-beta-1,4-glucanase (EC 3.2.1.4) were compared by using the noncrystalline cellulosic substrate trinitrophenyl-carboxymethyl cellulose.

Evidence for prokaryotic transcription and translation control regions in the human factor IX gene

A human factor IX cDNA clone isolated from a liver cDNA library constructed in phage lambda gt11 vector was shown to express factor IX protein in Escherichia coli. A factor IX immunospecific protein of 46.8 kDa was expressed, but was not a beta-galactosidase-factor IX fusion protein. Expression was seen when the factor IX cDNA was cloned into two different vector systems, lambda gt11 and pUC9, in both orientations with respect to the vector lacZ promoter. The expression of factor IX was not under control of the lacZ promoter of either vector system. In addition, when the factor IX cDNA fragment was subcloned in both orientations into a promoterless cloning vector (p CPP3), the factor IX cDNA fragment demonstrated promoter activity when inserted in only one orientation resulting in expression of chloramphenicol acetyl transferase in E. coli and Bacillus subtilis. A DNA computer search of the N-terminal sequences of the factor IX gene revealed prokaryotic-like promoter and ribosome-binding site (RBS) sequences with strong homology to the E. coli consensus sequences. The predicted sites homologous with prokaryotic promoter and RBS consensus sequences are followed by an in-frame methionine which could correspond to the translation start codon of the expressed factor IX. This report provides the first evidence that a eukaryotic gene encodes the information necessary for both transcription and translation to control gene expression in a prokaryotic host.