The nucleotide sequence of a 3614 base-pair segment of DNA containing the sdhA gene, encoding the flavoprotein subunit of succinate dehydrogenase of Escherichia coli, and two genes sdhC and sdhD, encoding small hydrophobic subunits, has been determined. Together with the iron-sulphur protein gene (sdhB) these genes form an operon (sdhCDAB) situated between the citrate synthase gene (gltA) and the 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase complex genes (sucAB): gltA-sdhCDAB-sucAB. Transcription of the gltA and sdhCDAB gene appears to diverge from a single intergenic region that contains two pairs of potential promoter sequences and two putative CRP (cyclic AMP receptor protein)-binding sites. The sdhA structural gene comprises 1761 base-pairs (587 codons, excluding the initiation codon, AUG) and it encodes a polypeptide of Mr 64268 that is strikingly homologous with the flavoprotein subunit of fumarate reductase (frdA gene product). The FAD-binding region, including the histidine residue at the FAD-attachment site, has been identified by its homology with other flavoproteins and with the flavopeptide of the bovine heart mitochondrial succinate dehydrogenase. Potential active-site cysteine and histidine residues have also been indicated by the comparisons. The sdhC (384 base-pairs) and sdhD (342 base-pairs) structural genes encode two strongly hydrophobic proteins of Mr 14167 and 12792 respectively. These proteins resemble in size and composition, but not sequence, the membrane anchor proteins of fumarate reductase (the frdC and frdD gene products).

A transcript analysis of the citrate synthase and succinate dehydrogenase genes (gltAsdhCDAB) of Escherichia coli was done by nuclease S1 mapping. Evidence was obtained for two monocistronic gltA transcripts extending anti-clockwise, to a common terminus, from independent promoters with start points 196 bp (major) and 299 bp (minor) upstream of the g/tA coding region. Evidence was also obtained for two polycistronic sdh transcripts, sdhCDAB (minor) and sdhDAB (major), extending clockwise, from sites 219 bp upstream of sdhC and 1455 bp upstream of sdhD (i.e. within sdhC), to a common terminus. The synthesis of all of the transcripts was repressed by growth in the presence of glucose, and this is consistent with the well-established fact that both enzymes are subject to catabolite repression. Sequences resembling known binding sites for the CAMP-CRP (cyclicAMP-cyclicAMP receptor protein) complex occur in the vicinity of each promoter suggesting that they are activated by the CAMP-CRP complex.

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We have investigated the efficacy of using the Escherichia coli lac operator‐repressor system to control plant gene expression. The lacI gene was modified to allow optimal expression in plant cells and then placed downstream of the cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) 35S RNA promoter. This construct was introduced into tobacco plants by leaf disc transformation. Transgenic tobacco plants synthesized significant quantities of LacI protein (up to 0.06% of total soluble protein). We have used the E.coli beta‐glucuronidase gene (gus) as the reporter gene by placing it downstream of the maize chlorophyll a/b binding protein (CAB) gene promoter. Lac operators were introduced into several positions within the CAB promoter and operator‐free plasmid was used as control. Repression was assessed by comparing the transient expression from CAB‐operator‐gus reporter constructs in protoplasts expressing lac protein, with that in control cells not expressing the repressor. Repression varied between 10 and 90% with different operator positions. Transient assays were also performed in the presence of the inducer, isopropyl‐beta‐D‐thiogalactoside (IPTG). In lacI protoplasts the presence of IPTG manifested itself in a 4.2‐fold relief of repression. The study was extended to show regulation of expression in stable transformants. Tobacco transformants harbouring a CAB‐operator‐gus reporter construct and the lacI gene were shown to have repressed GUS levels, but in the presence of IPTG, repression was relieved 15‐fold. We conclude that the lac repressor can enter the plant cell nucleus, find its cognate operator sequence in the chromatin to form a repressor‐‐operator complex and effectively block transcription of a downstream gene.

The aspartase gene (aspA) of Escherichiu coli has been isolated in two plasmids, pGS73 and pGS94, which contain segments of bacterial DNA (12.5 and 2.8 kb, respectively) inserted into the tet gene of the vector pBR322. The plasmids were constructed by sequential sub-cloning from a larger ColE1-frd+ hybrid plasmid. The location of the aspA gene confirmed predictions based on a correlation between the genetic and restriction maps of the corresponding region. The aspartase activities of plasmid-containing aspA mutants were amplified four-to sixfold relative to aspA+ parental strains. The aspA gene product was tentatively identified as a polypeptide of M , 55 000, which is somewhat larger than previous estimates ( M , 45 000 to 48 000) for aspartase.