Structure and expression of the genes, mcrBDCGA, which encode the subunits of component C of methyl coenzyme M reductase in Methanococcus vannielii

Journal Article · Mon Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1987 · Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.84.12.3992· OSTI ID:5356838

Cram, D S; Sherf, B A; Libby, R T; Mattaliano, R J; Ramachandran, K L; Reeve, J N

The genes that encode the ..cap alpha.., ..beta.., ..gamma.. subunits of component C of methyl coenzyme M reductase (mcrA, mcrB, and mcrG) in Methanococcus vannielii have been cloned and sequenced, and their expression in Escherichia coli has been demonstrated. These genes are organized into a five-gene cluster, mcrBDCGA, which contains two genes, designated mcrC and mcrD, with unknown functions. The mcr genes are separated by very short intergenic regions that contain multiple translation stop codons and strong ribosome-binding sequences. Although the genome of M. vannielii is 69 mol % A+T, there is a very strong preference in the mcrA, mcrB, and mcrG genes for the codon with a C in the wobble position in some codon pairs. The mrC and mcrD genes do not show this codon preference and frequently have U or A in the wobble position. As the codon pairs listed above are likely to be translated by the same tRNA with a G in the first anticodon position, the presence of C in the wobble position might ensure maximum efficiency of translation of transcripts of these very highly expressed genes.

• Research Organization: Ohio State Univ., Columbus
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-81ER10945
• OSTI ID: 5356838
• Journal Information: Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.; (United States), Journal Name: Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.; (United States) Vol. 84:12; ISSN PNASA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550201* -- Biochemistry-- Tracer Techniques
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
AMINO ACID SEQUENCE
AMINO ACIDS
AUTORADIOGRAPHY
BACTERIA
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BETA-MINUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
CARBON 14 COMPOUNDS
CARBOXYLIC ACIDS
CODONS
COENZYMES
DAYS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
DNA SEQUENCING
DRUGS
ENZYMES
ESCHERICHIA COLI
EVEN-ODD NUCLEI
GENE REGULATION
GENES
ISOTOPES
LABELLED COMPOUNDS
LIGHT NUCLEI
LIPOTROPIC FACTORS
METHANOGENIC BACTERIA
METHIONINE
MICROORGANISMS
MOLECULAR STRUCTURE
NUCLEI
ORGANIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC SULFUR COMPOUNDS
OXIDOREDUCTASES
RADIOISOTOPES
STRUCTURAL CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
SULFUR 35
SULFUR ISOTOPES