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PMID: 3062575 Published · ppublish English Journal Article Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

The DNA-binding domain of the transcriptional activator protein NifA resides in its carboxy terminus, recognises the upstream activator sequences of nif promoters and can be separated from the positive control function of NifA.

Nucleic acids research ·Vol. 16 ·No. 24 ·1988-12-23 ·Pages 11469-88

Morett E, Cannon W, Buck M

Abstract

The positive control protein NifA activates transcription of nitrogen fixation promoters in Klebsiella pneumoniae. NifA is believed to bind to specific sites, the upstream activator sequences (UAS's), of the nif promoters which it activates. We have now shown by mutation of the carboxy terminus of NifA that this is the DNA-binding domain and that the DNA-binding and positive activator functions of NifA can be separated. Mutational analysis of the nifH UAS and in vivo methylation protection analysis of the interaction of NifA with the nifH promoter demonstrates that the UAS is recognised by the carboxy terminus of NifA. The UAS's of K. pneumoniae nif promoters are also required for activation by the Rhizobium meliloti NifA indicating that this activator also possesses DNA-binding activity.

MeSH Terms
Amino Acid Sequence Bacterial Proteins/genetics,isolation & purification,physiology Base Sequence DNA Mutational Analysis DNA Replication DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics,isolation & purification Gene Expression Regulation Genes, Bacterial Klebsiella pneumoniae/genetics Molecular Sequence Data Nitrogen Fixation/genetics Promoter Regions, Genetic Rhizobium/genetics Sulfuric Acid Esters Transcription Factors/genetics,isolation & purification,physiology Transcription, Genetic
Chemicals
Bacterial Proteins DNA-Binding Proteins Sulfuric Acid Esters Transcription Factors dimethyl sulfate
Authors & Affiliations
3 authors, click to expand affiliations / ORCID
Morett E
AFRC Institute of Plant Science Research, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK.
Cannon W
Buck M
References (29)
29 references, click to expand
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Article Info
Journal
Nucleic acids research
Abbr.
Nucleic Acids Res
ISSN
0305-1048
Published
1988-12-23
Pages
11469-88
Language
English
Region
England
NLM ID
0411011
PMCID
PMC339059
Subset
IM
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