ANALYSIS OF A CIS-ACTIVE SEQUENCE MEDIATING CATABOLITE REPRESSION IN GRAM-POSITIVE BACTERIA

One form of catabolite repression (CR) in the Gram-positive genus, Bac illus, is mediated by a cis-acting element (CRE). We use here a consen sus sequence to identify such elements in sequenced genes of Gram-posi tive bacteria. These are analysed with respect to position and type of gene in which they occur, CRE sequences near the promoter region are mainly identified in genes encoding carbon catabolic enzymes, which ar e thus likely to be subject to CR by a global mechanism. Functional as pects of CREs are evaluated.