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  • Title: Molecular cloning and functional characterization of Rhizobium leguminosarum structural nif-genes by site-directed transposon mutagenesis and expression in Escherichia coli minicells.
    Author: Schetgens TM, Bakkeren G, van Dun C, Hontelez JG, van den Bos RC, van Kammen A.
    Journal: J Mol Appl Genet; 1984; 2(4):406-21. PubMed ID: 6330264.
    Abstract:
    In order to study the structural organization and regulation of the expression of the nitrogenase gene cluster in Rhizobium leguminosarum PRE we selected relevant subfragments of the sym-plasmid from clone banks by homology with R. meliloti nif-genes. Site-directed Tn5 mutagenesis was applied to a nif DH-specific clone and subsequently the transposon insertions were transferred back into the wild-type rhizobial genome by homologous recombination. Phenotypic effects of Tn5 mutations in the region of the structural nif-genes were determined by measuring acetylene reduction in nodulated plants and by immunological analysis of bacteroid-specific proteins. The localization of Tn5 insertion sites was in accordance with observed consequences: two genotypically different Tn5-induced mutations within nif D caused repression of CI alpha and beta synthesis and a strong reduction of CII production, thus resulting in a Fix- phenotype. Expression of different cloned Rhizobium DNA inserts, bearing nif K, nif D, nif H, or nif DH, was achieved in Escherichia coli minicells dependent upon the presence of a strong upstream vector promoter sequence. Gene products were identified by immunoprecipitation with specific antisera. Endogenous rhizobial transcriptional start signals in one case (nif H) seemed to be recognized at a low rate by the E. coli system; in contrast, Rhizobium ribosome binding sites for all three structural nif-genes functioned normally in minicells. The approximate location of the coding regions for nif KDH genes was determined and found to be contiguous.
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