Gene order and gene-polypeptide relationships of the proton-translocating ATPase operon (unc) of Escherichia coli.

Abstract

An extensive set of plasmids that carry the genes specifying the 8 polypeptides of the proton-translocating ATPase of E. coli was constructed. Using detailed restriction analysis and in vitro protein synthesis directed by these plasmids the order of the 8 unc genes was determined to be BEFHAGDC and the corresponding polypeptides were determined to be a, c, b, .delta., .alpha., .gamma., .beta. and .epsilon.. These analyses include determining the location of the gene coding for the .delta. subunit of the F1 portion of the complex. This gene was called uncH. The gene order and gene-polypeptide relationships of the unc operon. This approach should be of use for study of other multigene bacterial operons, especially those with genes coding for polypeptides with unknown or unmeasurable catalytic activity.