The identification, characterization, sequencing and mutagenesis of the genes (hupSL) encoding the small and large subunits of the H2‐uptake hydrogenase of Azotobacter chroococcum

C. M. Ford, N. Garg, R. P. Garg, K. H. Tibelius, M. G. Yates, D. J. Arp, L. C. Seefeldt

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

35 Scopus citations

Abstract

The structural genes (hupSL) of the membrane‐bound NiFe‐containing H2‐uptake hydrogenase (Hup) of Azotobacter chroococcum were identified by oligo‐nucleotide screening and sequenced. The small subunit gene (hupS) encodes a signal sequence of 34 amino acids followed by a 310‐amino‐acid, 34 156 D protein containing 12 cysteine residues. The large subunit gene (hupL) overlaps hupS by one base and codes for a predicted 601‐amino‐acid, 66433 D protein. There are two regions of strong homology with other Ni hydrogenases: a Cys‐Thr‐Cys‐Cys‐Ser motif near the N‐terminus of HupS and an Asp‐Pro‐Cys‐Leu‐Ala‐Cys motif near the carboxy‐terminus of HupL. Strong overall homology exists between Azotobacter, Bradyrhizobium japonicum and Rhodobacter capsulatus Hup proteins but less exists between the Azotobacter proteins and hydrogenases from Desulfovibrio strains. Mutagenesis of either hupS or hupL genes of A. chrooooccum yielded Hup phenotypes but some of these mutants retained a partial H2‐evolving activity. Hybridization experiments at different stages of gene segregation confirmed the multicopy nature of the Azotobacter genome.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)999-1008
Number of pages10
JournalMolecular Microbiology
Volume4
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 1990
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Microbiology
  • Molecular Biology

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