Cloning and expression of homospermidine synthase from Senecio vulgaris: a revision

Homospermidine synthase. which catalyses the first pathway-specific reaction in pyrrolizidine alkaloid biosynthesis, was cloned from root cultures of Senecio vulgaris and expressed in E. coli. The open reading frame encodes a protein of 370 amino acids with a molecular mass of 40,740 Da. The enzyme is strictly dependent on spermidine as aminobutyl donor since it cannot be substituted by putrescine. The homospermidine synthase from S. vulgaris showed 97.9 and 99.3% nucleic acid identity with two HSS sequences from the closely related species Senecio vernalis. This report also revises data from a previous publication (Kaiser, A., 1999. Cloning and expression of a cDNA encoding homospermidine synthase from Senecio vulgaris (Asteraceae) in Escherichia coli. Plant J. 19. 195 201.) that is incorrect.     

Molecular Cloning and Sequence of a Complementary DNA Encoding 1-Aminocyclopropane-l-carboxylate Synthase Induced by Tissue Wounding

1-Aminocyclopropane-l-carboxylate (ACC) synthase [EC 4.4.1.14 [EC] ]is the key enzyme regulating ethylene biosynthesis in higherplants. A complementary DNA encoding wound-induced ACC synthasefrom mesocarp of winter squash (Cucurbita maxima Duch.) fruitswas cloned, and its complete nucleotide sequence determined.The cloned cDNA contained an open reading frame of 1479 basepairs encoding a sequence of 493 amino acids. Identificationof the cDNA was accomplished by expression of active enzymein Escherichia coli harboring the cDNA and by the presence ofa partial amino acid sequence identical to that found in thepurified enzyme. A putative pyridoxal phosphate binding siteof the enzyme is suggested. Northern blot analysis showed thatthe ACC synthase gene was activated by tissue wounding, andits expression was repressed by ethylene. Genomic Southern analysisindicates the presence of at least another sequence which weaklyhybridizes with the cDNA. (Received June 26, 1990; Accepted August 7, 1990)     

Analysis of a cDNA encoding arginine decarboxylase from oat reveals similarity to the Escherichia coli arginine decarboxylase and evidence of protein processing

Summary Arginine decarboxylase is the first enzyme in one of the two pathways of putrescine synthesis in plants. We purified arginine decarboxylase from oat leaves, obtained N-terminal amino acid sequence, and then used this information to isolate a cDNA encoding oat arginine decarboxylase. Comparison of the derived amino acid sequence with that of the arginine decarboxylase gene from Escherichia coli reveals several regions of sequence similarity which may play a role in enzyme function. The open reading frame (ORF) in the oat cDNA encodes a 66 kDa protein, but the arginine decarboxylase polypeptide that we purified has an apparent molecular weight of 24 kDa and is encoded in the carboxyl-terminal region of the ORF. A portion of the cDNA encoding this region was expressed in E. coli, and a polyclonal antibody was developed against the expressed polypeptide. The antibody detects 34 kDa and 24 kDa polypeptides on Western blots of oat leaf samples. Maturation of arginine decarboxylase in oats appears to include processing of a precursor protein.     

Molecular evolution by change of function. Alkaloid-specific homospermidine synthase retained all properties of deoxyhypusine synthase except binding the eIF5A precursor protein

Deoxyhypusine synthase participates in the post-translational activation of the eukaryotic initiation factor 5A (eIF5A). The enzyme transfers the aminobutyl moiety of spermidine to a specific lysine residue in the eIF5A precursor protein, i.e. eIF5A(lys). Homospermidine synthase catalyzes an analogous reaction but uses putrescine instead of eIF5A(lys) as substrate yielding the rare polyamine homospermidine as product. Homospermidine is an essential precursor in the biosynthesis of pyrrolizidine alkaloids, an important class of plant defense compounds against herbivores. Sequence comparisons of the two enzymes indicate an evolutionary origin of homospermidine synthase from ubiquitous deoxyhypusine synthase. The two recombinant enzymes from Senecio vernalis were purified, and their properties were compared. Protein-protein binding and kinetic substrate competition studies confirmed that homospermidine synthase, in comparison to deoxyhypusine synthase, lost the ability to bind the eIF5A(lys) to its surface. The two enzymes show the same unique substrate specificities, catalyze the aminobutylation of putrescine with the same specific activities, and exhibit almost identical Michaelis kinetics. In conclusion, homospermidine synthase behaves like a deoxyhypusine synthase that lost its major function (aminobutylation of eIF5A precursor protein) but retained unaltered its side activity (aminobutylation of putrescine). It is suggested as having evolved from deoxyhypusine synthase by gene duplication and being recruited for a new function.     

Cloning of an Arabidopsis thaliana cDNA coding for farnesyl diphosphate synthase by functional complementation in yeast

A cDNA encoding farnesyl diphosphate synthase, an enzyme that synthesizes C15 isoprenoid diphosphate from isopentenyl diphosphate and dimethylallyl diphosphate, was cloned from an Arabidopsis thaliana cDNA library by complementation of a mutant of Saccharomyces cerevisiae deficient in this enzyme. The A. thaliana cDNA was also able to complement the lethal phenotype of the erg20 deletion yeast mutant. As deduced from the full-length 1.22 kb cDNA nucleotide sequence, the polypeptide contains 343 amino acids and has a relative molecular mass of 39689. The predicted amino acid sequence presents about 50% identity with the yeast, rat and human FPP synthases. Southern blot analyses indicate that A. thaliana probably contains a single gene for farnesyl diphosphate synthase.     

Direct genetic selection of a maize cDNA for dihydrodipicolinate synthase in an Escherichia coli dapA- auxotroph

Summary Dihydrodipicolinate synthase (DHPS; EC 4.2.1.52) is the first committed enzyme in the lysine branch of the aspartate-derived amino acid biosynthesis pathway and is common to bacteria and plants. Due to feedback inhibition by lysine, DHPS serves in a regulatory role for this pathway in plant metabolism. To elucidate the molecular genetic characteristics of DHPS, we isolated a putative full-length cDNA clone for maize DHPS by direct genetic selection in an Escherichia coli dapA ^–auxotroph. The maize DHPS activity expressed in the complemented E. coli auxotroph showed the lysine inhibition characteristics of purified maize DHPS, indicating that the cDNA encoded sequences for both the catalytic function and regulatory properties of the enzyme. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of purified maize DHPS was determined by direct sequencing and showed homology to a sequence within the cDNA, indicating that the clone contained the entire coding region for a mature polypeptide of 326 amino acids plus a 54 amino acid transit peptide sequence. The molecular weight of 35854, predicted from the deduced amino acid sequence, was similar to the 38 000 M_r determined by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) for the purified enzyme from maize. DHPS mRNAs complementary to the cDNA were detected in RNA isolated from developing maize endosperm and embryo tissues. Southern blots indicated the presence of more than one genomic sequence homologous to DHPS per haploid maize genome.     

Molecular Cloning of cDNA for Trehalase from the European Honeybee,Apis mellifera L., and Its Heterologous Expression in Pichia pastoris

cDNA encoding the bound type trehalase of the European honeybee was cloned. The cDNA (3,001 bp) contained the long 5′ untranslated region (UTR) of 869 bp, and the 3′ UTR of 251 bp including a poly(A) tail, and the open reading frame of 1,881 bp consisting of 626 amino acid residues. The M _r of the mature enzyme comprised of 591 amino acids, excluded a signal sequence of 35 amino acid residues, was 69,177. Six peptide sequences analyzed were all found in the deduced amino acid sequence. The amino acid sequence exhibited high identity with trehalases belonging to glycoside hydrolase family 37. A putative transmembrane region similar to trehalase-2 of the silkworm was found in the C-terminal amino acid sequence. Recombinant enzyme of the trehalase was expressed in the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris as host, and displayed properties identical to those of the native enzyme except for higher sugar chain contents. This is the first report of heterologous expression of insect trehalase.     

Cloning, sequencing and heterologous expression of the monoamine oxidase gene from Aspergillus niger

The gene encoding the flavin-containing monoamine oxidase (MAO-N) of the filamentous fungus Aspergillus niger was cloned. MAO-N is the first nonvertebrate monoamine oxidase described to date. Three partial cDNA clones, isolated from an expression library, were used to identify and clone the structural gene (maoN) from an A. niger genomic DNA library. The maoN gene was sequenced, and analysis revealed an open reading frame that codes for a protein of 495 amino acids with a calculated molecular mass of 55.6 kDa. Sequencing of an internal proteolytic fragment of the purified enzyme confirmed the derived amino acid sequence. Analysis of the deduced amino acid sequence indicates that MAO-N is structurally related to the human monoamine oxidases MAO-A and MAO-B. In particular, the regions known to be involved in the binding of the FAD cofactor show a high degree of homology; however, the conserved cysteine residue to which the flavin cofactor is covalently bound in the mammalian forms is absent in the fungal enzyme. MAO-N has the C-terminal tripeptide Ala-Arg-Leu, which corresponds to the consensus targeting sequence found in many peroxisomal enzymes. The full-length cDNA for MAO-N was expressed in Escherichia coli from the T7 promoter of the expression vector pET3a, yielding a soluble and fully active enzyme form.     

Characterization of the intron-containing citrate synthase gene from the alkanotrophic yeast Candida tropicalis: cloning and expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Citrate synthase, an essential enzyme of the tricarboxylic acid cycle in mitochondria, was purified from acetate-grown Candida tropicalis. Results from SDS-PAGE and gel filtration showed that this enzyme was a dimer composed of 45-kDa subunits. A citrate synthase cDNA fragment was amplified by the 5′-RACE method. Nucleotide sequence analysis of this cDNA fragment revealed that the deduced amino acid sequence contained an extended leader sequence which is suggested to be a mitochondrial targeting signal, as judged from helical wheel analysis. Using this cDNA probe, one genomic citrate synthase clone was isolated from a yeast λEMBL3 library. The nucleotide sequence of the gene encoding C. tropicalis citrate synthase, CtCIT, revealed the presence of a 79-bp intron in the N-terminal region. Sequences essential as yeast splicing motifs were present in this intron. When the CtCIT gene including its intron was introduced into Saccharomyces cerevisiae using the promoter UPR-ICL, citrate synthase activity was highly induced, which strongly indicated that this intron was correctly spliced in S. cerevisiae. Received: 20 November 1996 / Accepted: 25 February 1997     

Purification, Characterization and Cloning of Phospholipase D from Peanut Seeds

We purified phospholipase D (PLD) enzyme from peanut seeds, and the PLD enzyme eluted as two distinct peak fractions on Mono-Q chromatography, the first of which was characterized. N-terminal sequencing indicated that the N-terminus was blocked. The molecular mass of the purified enzyme was estimated to be 92 kDa by SDS-PAGE. The pH optimum of the enzyme was 5.0, and the K _m value against its substrate phosphatidylcholine (PC), in the presence of 10 mM CaCl₂ and 4 mM deoxycholate, was estimated to be 0.072 mM. The enzyme catalyzed two reactions, i.e., hydrolysis of PC generating phosphatidic acid (PA) and choline, and transphosphatidylation of the PA-moiety in the PC molecule to the acceptor glycerol, generating phosphatidylglycerol. Furthermore, we cloned two types of full-length cDNA, Ahpld1 and Ahpld2, each encoding distinct PLD molecules having 794 and 807 residues, respectively. The partial amino acid sequence of the purified PLD was consistent with the deduced sequence of AhPLD2.     

Cloning and characterization of the gene encoding a repressible acid phosphatase (PHO1) from the methylotrophic yeast Hansenula polymorpha

A cloned cDNA, generated from mRNA isolates of phosphate-derepressed H. polymorpha cells, was identified to harbour an incomplete sequence of the coding region for a repressible acid phosphatase. The cDNA fragment served as a probe to screen a plasmid library of H. polymorpha genomic DNA. A particular clone, p606, of a 1.9-kb insert contained a complete copy of the PHO1 gene. Sequencing revealed the presence of a 1329-nucleotide open reading frame encoding a protein of 442 amino acids with a calculated M _r of 49400. The␣encoded protein has an N-terminal 17-amino-acid secretory leader sequence and seven potential N-glycosylation sites. The leader cleavage site was confirmed by N-terminal sequencing of the purified enzyme. The nucleotide sequence is 48.9% homologous, the derived amino acid sequence 36% homologous to its Saccharomyces cerevisiae counterpart. The derived amino acid sequence harbours a consensus sequence RHGXRXP, previously identified as a sequence involved in active-site formation of acid phosphatases. The PHO1 promoter and the secretion leader sequence present promising new tools for heterologous gene expression. Received: 15 January 1998 / Received revision: 2 March 1998 / Accepted: 4 March 1998     

Biosynthesis of spermidine, a direct precursor of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in root cultures of Senecio vulgaris L.

 The polyamine spermidine is an essential biosynthetic precursor of pyrrolizidine alkaloids. It provides its aminobutyl group which is transferred to putrescine yielding homospermidine, the specific building block of the necine base moiety of pyrrolizidine alkaloids. The enzymatic formation of spermidine was studied in relation to the unique role of this polyamine as an alkaloid precursor. S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (SAMDC, EC 4.1.1.50) and spermidine synthase (SPDS, EC 2.5.1.16) from root cultures of Senecio vulgaris were partially purified and characterized. The SAMDC-catalyzed reaction showed a pH optimum of 7.5, that of SPDS an optimum of 7.7. The K _m value of SAMDC for its substrate S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) was 15 μM, while the apparent K _m values of SPDS for its substrates decarboxylated SAM (dSAM) and putrescine were 4 μM and 21 μM, respectively. The relative molecular masses of the two enzymes, determined by gel filtration, were 29 000 (SAMDC) and 37 000 (SPDS). Studies with various potential inhibitors revealed, for most inhibitors, profiles that were similar to those established with the respective enzymes from other plant sources. However, putrescine which is not known to be an inhibitor of plant SAMDC, strongly inhibited the enzyme from S. vulgaris roots. Spermidine synthase was sensitive to inhibition by its product spermidine. In the presence of the stationary tissue concentrations of the two polyamines (ca. 0.1 mM each) the activities of SAMDC and SPDS would be inhibited by >80%. The results are discussed in relation to the role of spermidine in primary and secondary metabolism of alkaloid-producing S. vulgaris root cultures. Received: 15 September 1999 / Accepted 10 December 1999     

Homospermidine in transgenic tobacco results in considerably reduced spermidine levels but is not converted to pyrrolizidine alkaloid precursors

Homospermidine synthase is the first specific enzyme in the biosynthesis of pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Whereas the substrates putrescine and spermidine are part of the highly dynamic polyamine pool of plants, the product homospermidine is incorporated exclusively into the necine base moiety of pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Recently, the gene encoding homospermidine synthase has been shown to have been recruited several times independently during angiosperm evolution by the duplication of the gene encoding deoxyhypusine synthase. To test whether high levels of homospermidine suffice for conversion, at least in traces, to precursors of pyrrolizidine alkaloids, transgenic tobacco plants were generated expressing homospermidine synthase. Analyses of the polyamine content revealed that, in the transgenic plants, about 80% of spermidine was replaced by homospermidine without any conspicuous modifications of the phenotype. Tracer-feeding experiments and gas chromatographic analyses suggested that these high levels of homospermidine were not sufficient to explain the formation of alkaloid precursors. These results are discussed with respect to current models of pathway evolution.     

Molecular cloning and analysis of a cDNA coding for chorismate synthase from the higher plant Corydalis sempervirens Pers.

Chorismate synthase catalyzes the last common step in the biosynthesis of the three aromatic amino acids in microorganisms and plants. We have cloned a cDNA for this enzyme from the higher plant Corydalis sempervirens. This is the first chorismate synthase cDNA from a eukaryotic organism. The nucleotide sequence was determined and the identity of the cDNA was confirmed by the amino acid sequence of tryptic peptides obtained from purified chorismate synthase. The homology to the two known bacterial sequences is about 48%. The cDNA contains an open reading frame of 1341 base pairs, encoding a protein of 447 amino acids. This protein with a molecular mass of 48,100 daltons resembles a chorismate synthase precursor targeted for chloroplast import. Multiple sites of polyadenylation were observed in chorismate synthase mRNAs.     

A dinucleotide mutation in dihydrodipicolinate synthase of Nicotiana sylvestris leads to lysine overproduction

By applying a mutagenesis/selection procedure to obtain resistance to a lysine analog, S-(2-aminoethyl)l -cysteine (AEC), a lysine overproducing mutant in Nicotiana sylvestris was isolated. Amino acid analyses performed throughout plant development and of different organs of the N. sylvestris RAEC-1 mutant, revealed a developmental-dependent accumulation of free lysine. Lysine biosynthesis in the RAEC-1 mutant was enhanced due to a lysine feedback-desensitized dihydrodipicolinate synthase (DHDPS). Several molecular approaches were undertaken to identify the nucleotide change in the dhdps-r1 gene, the mutated gene coding for the lysine-desensitized enzyme. The enzyme was purified from wild-type plants for amino end microsequencing and 10 amino acids were identified. Using dicotyledon dhdps probes, a genomic fragment was cloned from an enriched library of DNA from the homozygote RAEC-1 mutant plant. A dhdps cDNA, putatively full-length, was isolated from a tobacco cDNA library. Nucleotide sequence analyses confirmed the presence of the previously identified amino end preceded by a chloroplast transit peptide sequence. Nucleotide sequence comparisons, enzymatic and immunological analyses revealed that the tobacco cDNA corresponds to a normal type of DHDPS, lysine feedback-regulated, and the genomic fragment to the mutated DHDPS, insensitive to lysine inhibition. Functional complementation of a DHDPS-deficient Escherichia coli strain was used as an expression system. Reconstruction between the cDNA and genomic fragment led to the production of a cDNA producing an insensitive form of DHDPS. Amino acid sequence comparisons pointed out, at position 104 from the first amino acid of the mature protein, the substitution of Asn to lleu which corresponds to a dinucleotide mutation. This change is unique to the dhdps-r1 gene when compared with the wild-type sequence. The identification of the nucleotide and amino acid change of the lysine-desensitized DHDPS from RAEC-1 plant opens new perspectives for the improvement of the nutritional value of crops and possibly to develop a new plant selectable marker.     

Characterization of 5-enolpyruvylshikimate 3-phosphate synthase gene from Camptotheca acuminata

5-enolpyruvylshikimate 3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS; 3-phosphoshikimate 1-carboxyvinyl-transferase; EC 2.5.1.19) is a critical enzyme in the shikimate pathway. The full-length EPSPS cDNA sequence (CaEPSPS, GenBank accession number: AY639815) was cloned and characterized for the first time from woody plant, Camptotheca acuminata, using rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) technique. The full-length cDNA of CaEPSPS was 1778 bp containing a 1557 bp ORF (open reading frame) encoding a polypeptide of 519 amino acids with a calculated molecular mass of 55.6 kDa and an isoelectric point of 8.22. Comparative and bioinformatic analyses revealed that CaEPSPS showed extensive homology with EPSPSs from other plant species. CaEPSPS contained two highly conserved motifs owned by plant and most bacteria EPSPSs in its N-terminal region. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that CaEPSPS belonged to dicotyledonous plant EPSPS group. Tissue expression pattern analysis indicated that CaEPSPS was constitutively expressed in leaves, stems and roots, with the lower expression being found in roots. The coding sequence of CaEPSPS gene was successfully subcloned in a plasmid-Escherichia coli system (pET-32a), and the cells containing the plasmid carrying the CaEPSPS gene exhibited enhanced tolerance to herbicide glyphosate, compared to the control.     

Putrescine <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-methyltransferases—a structure–function analysis

Putrescine N-methyltransferase (PMT) is a key enzyme of plant secondary metabolism at the start of the specific biosynthesis of nicotine, of tropane alkaloids, and of calystegines that are glycosidase inhibitors with nortropane structure. PMT is assumed to have developed from spermidine synthases (SPDS) participating in ubiquitous polyamine metabolism. In this study decisive differences between both enzyme families are elucidated. PMT sequences were known from four Solanaceae genera only, therefore additional eight PMT cDNA sequences were cloned from five Solanaceae and a Convolvulaceae. The encoded polypeptides displayed between 76% and 97% identity and typical amino acids different from plant spermidine synthase protein sequences. Heterologous expression of all enzymes proved catalytic activity exclusively as PMT and K _cat values between 0.16 s⁻¹ and 0.39 s⁻¹. The active site of PMT was initially inferred from a protein structure of spermidine synthase obtained by protein crystallisation. Those amino acids of the active site that were continuously different between PMTs and SPDS were mutated in one of the PMT sequences with the idea of changing PMT activity into spermidine synthase. Mutagenesis of active site residues unexpectedly resulted in a complete loss of catalytic activity. A protein model of PMT was based on the crystal structure of SPDS and suggests that overall protein folds are comparable. The respective cosubstrates S-adenosylmethionine and decarboxylated S-adenosylmethionine, however, appear to bind differentially to the active sites of both enzymes, and the substrate putrescine adopts a different position.     

Characterization of an alkaline serine protease from an alkaline-resistant Pseudomonas sp.: Cloning and expression of the protease gene in Escherichia coli

Summary A gene, aprP, encoding an extracellular alkaline serine protease from a newly isolated Pseudomonas sp. KFCC 10818 was cloned and characterized. Nucleotide sequence analysis revealed an open reading frame of 1,266 nucleotides which could encode a polypeptide comprised of 422 amino acids. The C-terminal 283 residues showed an overall sequence homology with the subtilisin-type serine proteases. When expressed in E. coli, the alkaline protease, AprP, was released to the culture medium. The purified AprP was most active at pH 11. The k _Cat/K _m value of this enzyme was 9.2 × 10³ S^–1mM^–1, which is much higher than those of subtilisins.     

Hyaluronic acid production by recombinant <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lactococcus lactis</Emphasis>

A gene encoding a new xylanase, named xynZG, was cloned by the genome-walking PCR method from the nematophagous fungus Plectosphaerella cucumerina. The genomic DNA sequence of xynZG contains a 780 bp open reading frame separated by two introns with the sizes of 50 and 46 bp. To our knowledge, this would be the first functional gene cloned from P. cucumerina. The 684 bp cDNA was cloned into vector pHBM905B and transformed into Pichia pastoris GS115 to select xylanase-secreting transformants on RBB-xylan containing plate. The optimal secreting time was 3 days at 25°C and enzymatic activities in the culture supernatants reached the maximum level of 362 U ml⁻¹. The molecular mass of the enzyme was estimated to be 19 kDa on SDS-PAGE. The optimal pH and temperature of the purified enzyme is 6 and 40°C, respectively. The purified enzyme is stable at room temperature for at least 10 h. The K _m and V _max values for birchwood xylan are 2.06 mg ml⁻¹ and 0.49 mmol min⁻¹mg⁻¹, respectively. The inhibitory effects of various mental ions were investigated. It is interesting to note that Cu²⁺ ion, which strongly inhibits most other xylanases studied, reduces enzyme activity by only 40%. Furthermore, enzyme activity is unaffected by EDTA even at a concentration of 5 mM.     

Isolation, nucleotide sequence, and expression of a cDNA encoding pig citrate synthase

Citrate synthase is a key enzyme of the Krebs tricarboxylic acid cycle and catalyzes the stereospecific synthesis of citrate from acetyl coenzyme A and oxalacetate. The amino acid sequence and three-dimensional structure of pig citrate synthase dimers are known, and regions of the enzyme involved in substrate binding and catalysis have been identified. A cloned complementary DNA sequence encoding pig citrate synthase has been isolated from a pig kidney lambda gt11 cDNA library after screening with a synthetic oligonucleotide probe. The complete nucleotide sequence of the 1.5-kilobase cDNA was determined. The coding region consists of 1395 base pairs and confirms the amino acid sequence of purified pig citrate synthase. The derived amino acid sequence of pig citrate synthase predicts the presence of a 27 amino acid N-terminal leader peptide whose sequence is consistent with the sequences of other mitochondrial signal peptides. A conserved amino acid sequence in the mitochondrial leader peptides of pig citrate synthase and yeast mitochondrial citrate synthase was identified. To express the pig citrate synthase cDNA in Escherichia coli, we employed the inducible T7 RNA polymerase/promoter double plasmid expression vectors pGP1-2 and pT7-7 [Tabor, S., & Richardson, C. C. (1985) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 82, 1074-1078]. The pig citrate synthase cDNA was modified to delete the N-terminal leader sequence; then by use of a synthetic oligonucleotide linker, the modified cDNA was cloned into pT7-7 immediately following the initiator Met. A glutamate-requiring (citrate synthase deficient), recA- E. coli mutant, DEK15, was transformed with pGP1-2 and then pT7-7PCS. pT7-7PCS complemented the E. coli gltA mutation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)