Genetic Analysis of the acetan biosynthetic pathway in Acetobacter xylinum

Annette M. Griffin, Victor J. Morris and Michael J. Gasson. (1994). International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 16: 287-289.

Summary

We have identified, cloned and sequenced a 8422 base pair (bp) fragment of Acetobacter xylinum genomic DNA containing part of the acetan biosynthetic gene cluster. Computer analysis of nucleotide sequence data generated revealed the presence of 6 open reading frames. Comparison of the translated sequences of putative genes was used to assign functions to the aceA, aceC and manB genes. These were a UDP-glycosyl transferase (i.e. phosphateprenyl glucose-1-phosphate transferase ), a GDP-mannosyl transferase (cellobiosyldiphosphoprenyl a, D-mannose transferase) and a phosphomannose isomerase/GDP-mannose pyrophosphorylase respectively.

Identification, Cloning and Sequencing the aceA Gene involved in Acetan Biosynthesis in Acetobacter xylinum.

Annette M. Griffin, Victor J. Morris and Michael J. Gasson. (1996). FEMS Microbiology Letters (In Press)

Summary

The aceA gene from Acetobacter xylinum was identified and cloned from a genomic DNA library. The complete DNA sequence was determined and computer analysis of the translated gene sequence revealed homology with the deduced amino acid sequence of gumD from Xanthomonas campestris. Therefore aceA is likely to encode the phosphate-prenyl glucose1-phosphate transferase catalyzing the first step in acetan biosynthesis in A.xylinum.

Genetic analysis of the acetan biosynthetic pathway in Acetobacter xylinum:Nucleotide sequence analysis of aceB, aceC, aceD and aceE genes.

Annette M. Griffin, Victor J. Morris and Michael J. Gasson. (1996). The Journal of DNA Sequencing and Mapping (In Press)

Summary

Sequence analysis of a 5.323 kb chromosomal DNA fragment from Acetobacter xylinum involved in biosynthesis of the exopolysaccharide acetan, revealed the presence of four ace genes designated aceB, aceC, aceD and aceE. Comparison of translated gene sequences to the databanks was used to assign putative gene functions. AceB displayed strong homology to a glucose-diphosphoprenyl ß,D-glucose transferase from Xanthomonas campestris, while AceC was homologous to a cellobiosyl-diphosphoprenyl a, D-mannose transferase from the same organism. Thus these genes encode enzymes catalyzing the second and third steps of the acetan biosynthetic pathway. AceD and AceE were homologous to ExoP and ExoT respectively from Rhizobium melioti and are likely to be involved in acetan polymerization and export.

Identification of structural genes involved in bacterial exopolysaccharide production.

Annette M. Griffin, Kirstin J. Edwards, Michael J. Gasson, and Victor J. Morris. (1996). Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering Reviews (In Press).

Acetan and related polymers.

Geoffrey J. Brownsey, Annette M. Griffin and Victor J. Morris (1996). In: The Polymeric Material Encyclopedia: Synthesis, Properties and Applications . Salome, J.C. ed. CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida. In Press.