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Sequence and analysis of the genetic locus responsible for surfactin synthesis in Bacillus subtilis
Author(s) -
Cosmina Paola,
Rodriguez Francesco,
Ferra Francesco,
Grandi Guido,
Perego Marta,
Venema Gerard,
Sinderen Douwe
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
molecular microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.857
H-Index - 247
eISSN - 1365-2958
pISSN - 0950-382X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2958.1993.tb01629.x
Subject(s) - surfactin , bacillus subtilis , biology , operon , gene , amino acid , peptide sequence , genetics , locus (genetics) , biochemistry , bacillaceae , sequence analysis , bacteria , escherichia coli
Summary The chromosomal region of Bacillus subtilis comprising the entire srfA operon, sfp and about four kilo‐bases in between have been completely sequenced and functionally characterized. The srfA gene codes for three large subunits of surfactin synthetase, 402, 401 and 144 kDa, respectively, arranged in a series of seven amino acid activating domains which, as shown in the accompanying communication, recognize and bind the seven amino acids of the surfactin peptide. The srfA amino acid activating domains share homologies with similar domains of other peptide synthetases; in particular, regions can be identified which are more homologous in domains activating the same amino acid. A fourth gene in srfA encodes a polypeptide homologous to grsT. Four genes are positioned between srfA and sfp , the disruption of which does not affect surfactin biosynthesis.