A previously unidentified gene in the spc operon of Escherichia coli K12 specifies a component of the protein export machinery

John Shultz, Thomas J. Silhavy, Michael L. Berman, Niels Fiil, Scott D. Emr

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

70 Scopus citations

Abstract

The gene prlA codes for a factor that appears to function in the export of proteins in Escherichia coli. This conclusion is based on the finding that mutations altering the priA gene product restore export of envelope proteins with defective signal sequences. Previous results showed that the prlA gene lies in an operon (spc) known to code for ten different ribosomal proteins. Our studies show that the prlA gene lies promoter-distal to the last known ribosomal protein gene in this operon. Evidence from gene fusions constructed in vitro suggests that prlA codes for a protein containing at least 300 amino acids. Thus a heretofore unidentified protein specified by a gene within the spc operon appears to be a component of the cellular protein export machinery.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)227-235
Number of pages9
JournalCell
Volume31
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 1982
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

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