Analysis of the DnaK molecular chaperone system of Francisella tularensis.

We have cloned the Francisella tularensis (Ft) grpE-dnaK-dnaJ heat-shock genes which are organized in that order. These genes allow heterologous genetic complementation of each respective mutant strain of Escherichia coli (Ec) for bacteriophage lambda growth. The nucleotide sequences of the Ft grpE-dnaK-dnaJ genes and the deduced amino-acid sequences share significant homologies with their respective Ec counterparts. The Ft DnaK and DnaJ proteins cross-react with polyclonal antibodies raised against the respective Ec proteins. The grpE-dnaK-dnaJ genes of Ft are organized in a fashion that is more characteristic of Gram+ bacteria.