title: Characterization of the petI and res operons of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans.
abstract: DNA sequence analysis and bioinformatic interpretations have identified two adjacent clusters of genes potentially involved in the formation of a bc1 complex and in the maturation of a cytochrome c-type protein in two strains (ATCC 19859 and ATCC 33020) of the acidophilic, chemolithoautotrophic bacterium Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans (formerly Thiobacillus ferrooxidans). Reverse transcriptase-PCR experiments suggest that the two clusters are organized as operons, and +1 start sites of transcription for the operons have been determined by primer extension experiments. Potential promoters have been identified. The presence of these operons lends support to a recent model of reverse electron flow and is consistent with previous reports of phenotypic switching in this bacterium.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Molecular Microbiology, University of Santiago, 3363 Alameda, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Gloria
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Levicán
authors.forename: Patrice
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bruscella
authors.forename: Maritza
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Guacunano
authors.forename: Carolina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Inostroza
authors.forename: Violaine
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bonnefoy
authors.forename: David S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Holmes
authors.forename: Eugenia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jedlicki
mesh_terms: D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D001483:Base Sequence; D003574:Cytochrome c Group / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014450:Electron Transport Complex III / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D020563:Gammaproteobacteria / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009876:Operon
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D003574:Cytochrome c Group; D014450:Electron Transport Complex III