FIG 7.

Translational coupling between ORF51 and rpoE increases rpoE translation. (A to C) Schematic representations of the fusions used in this analysis are shown at the top. Relative positions of the rpoE promoters (P1 and P2) and the start codons (ATG) driving translation of each fusion are shown. The rpoE promoter and leader regions are depicted with a thin black line, while the rpoE and lacZ coding sequences are depicted with thick black and red lines, respectively. Stop codon mutations in ORF51 (B) or a potential ORF (C) are marked with an X. β-Galactosidase activity (units of milligram of protein) ± standard deviation was determined throughout growth. Experiments were performed at least three times. (A) Expression of ORF16′-′lacZ and ORF51′-′lacZ translational fusions. (B) Expression of WT or ORF51 stop codon mutant P1-P2-rpoE′-′lacZ translational fusions in WT and csrA::kan mutant strains. (C) Expression of WT or ORF stop codon mutant P2-rpoE′-′lacZ translational fusions in WT and csrA::kan mutant strains.