Fig. 1.

Structure and products of the T. denticola protease operon. The three genes of the protease operon (prcB, prcA, and prtP) are shown in gray above the ∼5-kb mRNA transcript. The location of the putative promoter (P) is indicated 5′ to prcB. The predicted lipoprotein products are shown below the transcript, with asterisks indicating acylation. The mature form of PrtP results from cleavage at residue 159, releasing a 16-kDa N-terminal acylated polypeptide. Cleavage of PrcA to PrcA1 and PrcA2 is dependent on PrtP protease activity.