Functional analysis of Sinorhizobium meliloti genes involved in biotin synthesis and transport.

ABSTRACT: External biotin greatly stimulates bacterial growth and alfalfa root colonization by Sinorhizobium meliloti strain 1021. Several genes involved in responses to plant-derived biotin have been identified in this bacterium, but no genes required for biotin transport are known, and not all loci required for biotin synthesis have been assigned. Searches of the S. meliloti genome database in combination with complementation tests of Escherichia coli biotin auxotrophs indicate that biotin synthesis probably is limited in S. meliloti 1021 by the poor functioning or complete absence of several key genes. Although several open reading frames with significant similarities to genes required for synthesis of biotin in gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria were found, only bioB, bioF, and bioH were d

SUBMITTER: Entcheva P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC123963 | biostudies-literature | 2002 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature