Bacterial gene

The DNA sequence analysis of specific genes has allowed the recognition of a number of sequences important in gene transcription. From the large number of bacterial genes smdied it is possible to construct consensus models of transcription initiation and termination signals. 

Unicelluar algal and bacterial genes were the first to be isolated and characterized and led to the isolation of most of the higher plant genes involved in carotenoid biosynthesis. Carotenogenic gene clusters from bacteria and algae" - - - contributed immensely to the elucidation of the carotenoid pathway. 

Fortuitously, the bacterial gene product, CRTI, produces di -trans carotenoids and satisfies the stereo-chemical specificity of LYC B for all-trani substrates while also catalyzing the four desaturation steps from phytoene to lycopene. Nevertheless, over-expression of Crtl has been shown to have only a modest effect (two- to fourfold increases in tomatoes and carrots) in increasing flux through the pathway and some unexpected pleiotropic influences on activities upstream and downstream of the desaturations (reviewed by Fraser and Bramley and Giuliano °). 

Gasson Ml, Y Kitamura, WR McLaughlan, A Narbad, AJ Parr, ELH Parsons, J Payne, MJC Rhodes, NK Walton (1998) Metabolism of ferulic acid to vanillin. A bacterial gene of the enoyl-SCoA hydratase/ isomerase superfamily encodes an enzyme for the hydration and cleavage of a hydroxycinnamic acid SCoA thioester. J Biol Chem 273 4163-4170. 

---