GENETIC-ANALYSIS OF THE ACETAN BIOSYNTHETIC-PATHWAY IN ACETOBACTER-XYLINUM

We have identified, cloned and sequenced an 8422 base pair fragment of Acetobacter xylinum genomic DNA containing part of the acetan biosynt hetic gene cluster. Computer analysis of the nucleotide sequence data generated revealed the presence of six open reading frames. Comparison of the translated sequences of putative genes to the amino acid seque nces of genes from other organisms was used to assign functions to the aceA, aceC and manB genes. These genes were predicted to encode a UDP -glycosyl tra nsf erase, a GDP-mannosyl transferase and a phosphomanno seisomerase/GDP-mannose pyrophosphorylase, respectively.