Structure and comparative analysis of the genes encoding component C of methyl coenzyme M reductase in the extremely thermophilic archaebacterium Methanothermus fervidus

Journal Article · Sat Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1988 · Journal of Bacteriology; (USA)

OSTI ID:7067547

Weil, C F; Cram, D S; Sherf, B A; Reeve, J N ^[1]

---

1. The Ohio State Univ., Columbus (USA)

A 6-kilobase-pair (kbp) region of the genome of the extremely thermophilic archaebacterium Methanothermus fervidus which encodes the {alpha}, {beta}, and {gamma} subunit polypeptides of component C of methyl coenzyme M reductase was cloned and sequenced. Genes encoding the {beta} (mcrB) and {gamma} (mcrG) subunits were separated by two open reading frames (designated mcrC and mcrD) which encode unknown gene products. The M. fervidus genes were preceded by ribosome-binding sites, separated by short A+T-rich intergenic regions, contained unexpectedly few NNC codons, and exhibited inflexible codon usage at some locations. Sites of transcription initiation and termination flanking the mcrBDCGA cluster of genes in M. fervidus were identified. The sequences of the genes, the encoded polypeptides, and transcription regulatory signals in M. fervidus were compared with the functionally equivalent sequences from two mesophilic methanogens (Methanococcus vannielii and Methanosarcina barkeri) and from a moderate thermophile (Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum Marburg). The amino acid sequences of the polypeptides encoded by the mcrBCGA genes in the two thermophiles were approximately 80% identical, whereas all other pairs of these gene products contained between 50 and 60% identical amino acid residues. The mcrD gene products have diverged more than the products of the other mcr genes.

• DOE Contract Number: FG02-87ER13731
• OSTI ID: 7067547
• Journal Information: Journal of Bacteriology; (USA), Journal Name: Journal of Bacteriology; (USA) Vol. 170:10; ISSN JOBAA; ISSN 0021-9193
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550200* -- Biochemistry
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
AMINO ACID SEQUENCE
BACTERIA
CLONING
COENZYMES
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
DNA HYBRIDIZATION
DNA SEQUENCING
DNA-CLONING
ENZYMES
HYBRIDIZATION
METHANOGENIC BACTERIA
MICROORGANISMS
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
MOLECULAR STRUCTURE
OXIDOREDUCTASES
STRUCTURAL CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
TRANSCRIPTION