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. 1995 May;177(9):2572–2575. doi: 10.1128/jb.177.9.2572-2575.1995

Cloning and characterization of the Bacillus subtilis birA gene encoding a repressor of the biotin operon.

S Bower 1, J Perkins 1, R R Yocum 1, P Serror 1, A Sorokin 1, P Rahaim 1, C L Howitt 1, N Prasad 1, S D Ehrlich 1, J Pero 1
PMCID: PMC176921  PMID: 7730294

Abstract

The Bacillus subtilis birA gene, which regulates biotin biosynthesis, has been cloned and characterized. The birA gene maps at 202 degrees on the B. subtilis chromosome and encodes a 36,200-Da protein that is 27% identical to Escherichia coli BirA protein. Three independent mutations in birA that lead to deregulation of biotin synthesis alter single amino acids in the amino-terminal end of the protein. The amino-terminal region that is affected by these three birA mutations shows sequence similarity to the helix-turn-helix DNA binding motif previously identified in E. coli BirA protein. B. subtilis BirA protein also possesses biotin-protein ligase activity, as judged by its ability to complement a conditional lethal birA mutant of E. coli.

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Selected References

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