The structure of the rfa locus of Escherichia coli will be investigated. This locus is a cluster of 10 or more genes which carry out the biosynthesis of the core region of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Mutation of some of the genes encoding early steps in core biosynthesis have a phenotype called """"""""deep rough"""""""" in which cells have a decreased amount of outer membrane protein and become hypersensitive to detergents and hydrophobic antibiotics. We hope that analysis of these genes and their products may indicate structures or biosynthetic pathways involved in stabilizing the outer membrane of enteric bacteria. We have isolated and mapped a set of Tn10 insertion mutations which define an operon which encodes functions necessay to extend the core beyond the heptose region. We have also demonstrated that a fragment cloned from the rfa locus partially complements some of these insertion mutations. By a combined approach of isolating additional mutations and complementation tests with various cloned fragments we hope to define the operon and the functions it includes. We will also locate an antitermination site within this operon and locate and study the regulation of the promoter(s) of this operon. Chemical analysis will be used to identify previously unknown labile LPS components which appear to be missing in one or more mutants and which appear to affect lateral LPS interactions. In long-range studies we will use a similar approach to extend this study the genes encoding biosynthesis of the heptose region of the core. Since there is evidence that knockout mutations in these genes are lethal, we will isolate either conditional mutants or insertion mutations in strains which are diploid for the rfa region. These techniques will be used to identify essential genes involved in the early steps of LPS core biosynthesis.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01GM039087-06
Application #
3295942
Study Section
Microbial Physiology and Genetics Subcommittee 2 (MBC)
Project Start
1989-12-01
Project End
1993-01-31
Budget Start
1992-02-01
Budget End
1993-01-31
Support Year
6
Fiscal Year
1992
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Arizona State University-Tempe Campus
Department
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
188435911
City
Tempe
State
AZ
Country
United States
Zip Code
85287
Klena, J D; Pradel, E; Schnaitman, C A (1993) The rfaS gene, which is involved in production of a rough form of lipopolysaccharide core in Escherichia coli K-12, is not present in the rfa cluster of Salmonella typhimurium LT2. J Bacteriol 175:1524-7
Klena, J D; Schnaitman, C A (1993) Function of the rfb gene cluster and the rfe gene in the synthesis of O antigen by Shigella dysenteriae 1. Mol Microbiol 9:393-402
Schnaitman, C A; Klena, J D (1993) Genetics of lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis in enteric bacteria. Microbiol Rev 57:655-82
Klena, J D; Ashford 2nd, R S; Schnaitman, C A (1992) Role of Escherichia coli K-12 rfa genes and the rfp gene of Shigella dysenteriae 1 in generation of lipopolysaccharide core heterogeneity and attachment of O antigen. J Bacteriol 174:7297-307
Parker, C T; Pradel, E; Schnaitman, C A (1992) Identification and sequences of the lipopolysaccharide core biosynthetic genes rfaQ, rfaP, and rfaG of Escherichia coli K-12. J Bacteriol 174:930-4
Pradel, E; Parker, C T; Schnaitman, C A (1992) Structures of the rfaB, rfaI, rfaJ, and rfaS genes of Escherichia coli K-12 and their roles in assembly of the lipopolysaccharide core. J Bacteriol 174:4736-45
Klena, J D; Pradel, E; Schnaitman, C A (1992) Comparison of lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis genes rfaK, rfaL, rfaY, and rfaZ of Escherichia coli K-12 and Salmonella typhimurium. J Bacteriol 174:4746-52
Parker, C T; Kloser, A W; Schnaitman, C A et al. (1992) Role of the rfaG and rfaP genes in determining the lipopolysaccharide core structure and cell surface properties of Escherichia coli K-12. J Bacteriol 174:2525-38
Schnaitman, C A; Parker, C T; Klena, J D et al. (1991) Physical maps of the rfa loci of Escherichia coli K-12 and Salmonella typhimurium. J Bacteriol 173:7410-1
Pradel, E; Schnaitman, C A (1991) Effect of rfaH (sfrB) and temperature on expression of rfa genes of Escherichia coli K-12. J Bacteriol 173:6428-31

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