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. 1983 Mar;153(3):1439–1450. doi: 10.1128/jb.153.3.1439-1450.1983

Two alanine racemase genes in Salmonella typhimurium that differ in structure and function.

S A Wasserman, C T Walsh, D Botstein
PMCID: PMC221795  PMID: 6298185

Abstract

Mutations were isolated in a previously undescribed Salmonella typhimurium gene encoding an alanine racemase essential for utilization of L-alanine as a source of carbon, energy, and nitrogen. This new locus, designated dadB, lies within one kilobase of the D-alanine dehydrogenase locus (dadA), which is also required for alanine catabolism. The dadA and dadB genes are coregulated. Mutants (including insertions) lacking the dadB alanine racemase do not require D-alanine for growth unless a mutation is introduced at a second locus, designated dal. Two genes specifying alanine racemase activity were cloned from S. typhimurium. The two cloned DNA sequences do not cross-hybridize with each other; one was shown to contain the dadB gene.

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Selected References

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