THE FADD GENE OF ESCHERICHIA-COLI K12 IS LOCATED CLOSE TO RND AT 39.6MIN OF THE CHROMOSOMAL MAP AND IS A NEW MEMBER OF THE AMP-BINDING PROTEIN FAMILY

The fadD gene of Escherichia coli K12 was cloned and sequenced. The ge ne was identified by its ability to complement the corresponding mutan t and by measuring the enzymatic activity after its expression in this mutant. The deduced polypeptide sequence exhibits similarity to other long chain acyl-CoA (coenzyme A) synthetases and a variety of other p roteins, which together form a family of AMP-binding proteins. This fa mily is extended by several new members and subdivided into four group s. fadD is assigned to a subgroup that does not include long chain acy l-CoA synthetases from eukaryotic organisms.