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Region 2 of the Escherichia coli K5 capsule gene cluster encoding proteins for the biosynthesis of the K5 polysaccharide
Article first published online: 8 MAR 2004
DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2958.1995.mmi_17040611.x
Additional Information
How to Cite
Petit, C., Rigg, G. P., Pazzani, C., Smith, A., Sieberth, V., Stevens, M., Boulnois, G., Jann, K. and Roberts, I. S. (1995), Region 2 of the Escherichia coli K5 capsule gene cluster encoding proteins for the biosynthesis of the K5 polysaccharide. Molecular Microbiology, 17: 611–620. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2958.1995.mmi_17040611.x
Publication History
- Issue published online: 8 MAR 2004
- Article first published online: 8 MAR 2004
- Received 6 February, 1995; revised 3 April, 1995; accepted 12 April, 1995.
- Abstract
- Cited By
The nucleotide sequence of region 2 of the Escherichia coli K5 capsule gene cluster has been determined. This region, essential for the biosynthesis of the K5 poly-saccharide, contained four genes, termed kfiA-D. The G+C ratio was 33.4%, which was lower than the typical G+C ratio for E. coli and that of the flanking regions 1 and 3 in the K5 capsule gene cluster. Three major RNA transcripts were detected within region 2 by Northern blotting and three promoters located by transcript mapping. Promoter activity was confirmed by promoter-probe analysis. The predicted amino acid sequence of KfiC had homology to a number of glycosyl transferase enzymes and overexpression of the kfiC gene resulted in increased K5 transferase activity. The predicted amino acid sequence of KfiD had homology to a number of NAD-dependent dehydrogenase enzymes and was demonstrated to be a UDP-glucose dehydrogenase that catalyses the formation of UDP-glucuronic acid from UDP-glucose.