IDENTIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF THE GYRB GENE FROM TREPONEMA-PALLIDUM SUBSP PALLIDUM

The nucleotide sequence of a DNA gyrase B subunit gene (gyrB) from Tre ponema pallidum has been determined. Southern blot analysis of T. pall idum chromosomal DNA indicated that this gene is present as a single c opy. The organization of genes flanking the gyr B gene is unique in co mparison to that of other bacteria. The gyrB gene encodes a 637 amino acid protein whose deduced sequence has a high degree of homology with type-II topoisomerase ATPase subunits (GyrB and ParE). Five type-II t opoisomerase motifs, an ATP binding site (Walker A), and amino acid re sidues that putatively interact with ATP, are highly conserved in the T. pallidum GyrB protein.