Evolution of Regulatory Genes Governing Biodegradation in Acinetobacter calcoaceticus.
Abstract
The Acinetobacter calcoaceticus pca-qui-pob supraoperonic gene cluster encodes bacterial enzymes that metabolize aromatic and hydroaromatic compounds in the environment. Our investigation is directed to understanding how mutation, gene rearrangement and selection contributed to evolution of the transcriptional controls exercised over genes in the cluster. The complete nucleotide sequence of the 18 kbp gene cluster has been determined, and genetic manipulations have been used to explore mechanisms contributing to expression of the genes. The results reveal that structural gene expression is governed by complex interactions between the products of different regulatory genes some of which share common ancestry. Additional controls appear to be exercised by compartmentation of some catabolic enzymes outside the inner cell membrane. Recombination appears to have made a major contribution to the evolution of existing control mechanisms, and their maintenance may be influence by continuing recombination. Contributions of recombination to mutation and repair are under investigation as are specific molecular mechanisms underlying transcriptional controls.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 22, 1995
- Accession Number
- ADA291655
Entities
People
- L. N. Ornston
Organizations
- Yale University