IDENTIFICATION OF THE METHANOCOCCUS-VOLTAE S-LAYER STRUCTURAL GENE

We have established that the gene which we had previously identified a s encoding the Methanococcus voltae P-type ATPase is, in fact, the str uctural gene for the M. voltae S-lager protein. This conclusion is bas ed on a comparison of the N-terminal sequence of S-layer protein prepa red by two independent methods with that derived from the nucleotide s equence of the cloned gene. This conclusion was further supported by i mmuno-cytochemical localization of the antigen directed against the an tibodies used in the cloning experiments.