A gene (tmpA) for an efflux protein of the transporter family III from Brevibacterium linens OC2, an antibacterial substance-producing strain

A gene (tmpA) encoding a putative transmembrane protein has been cloned fro m B. linens OC2, an antibacterial substance-producing strain. The deduced T mpA protein sequence shares similarities to members of the transporter fami ly III exploiting the transmembrane proton gradient to provide export of to xic compounds such as antiseptics or antibiotics. Northern blot analysis in dicated that tmpA gene is expressed. Length of RNA messenger and overlappin g of ORFs upstream tmpA gene suggested that it might belong to an operon. T he tmpA gene is unusual among B. linens species since it was not detected a mong eight B. linens collection strains and 40 B. linens industrial strains .