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Comparative analysis of genes encoding methyl coenzyme M reductase in methanogenic bacteria

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Summary

The sequence of the gene cluster encoding the methyl coenzyme M reductase (MCR) in Methanococcus voltae was determined. It contains five open reading frames (ORF), three of which encode the known enzyme subunits. Putative ribosome binding sites were found in front of all ORFs. They differ in their degrees of complementarity to the 3′ end of the 16 S rRNA, which is discussed in terms of different translation efficiencies of the respective genes. The codon usage bias is different in the subunit encoding genes compared with the two other ORFs in the cluster and two other known genes of Mc. voltae. This is interpreted in terms of increased translational accuracy of the highly expressed MCR subunit genes. The derived polypeptide sequences encoded by the five ORFs of the MCR cluster were compared to those of the respective genes in Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum Marburg and Methanosarcina barkeri. Conserved regions were detected in the enzyme subunits, which are candidates for factor binding domains. Conserved hydrophobic sequences found in the α and β subunits are discussed with respect to the membrane association of the enzyme.

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Author notes

  1. Brigitte Müller

    Present address: Institut für Genetik der Universität zu Köln, Weyertal 121, D-5000, Köln, Federal Republic of Germany

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Molekulargenetik, Fachbereich Biologie, Philipps-Universität, Karl-von-Frisch-Strasse, D-3550, Marburg, Federal Republic of Germany

    Albrecht Klein, Rudolf Allmansberger, Martin Bokranz, Sigurd Knaub, Brigitte Müller & Erika Muth

Authors
  1. Albrecht Klein
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  2. Rudolf Allmansberger
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  3. Martin Bokranz
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  4. Sigurd Knaub
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  5. Brigitte Müller
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  6. Erika Muth
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Communicated by W. Geobel

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Klein, A., Allmansberger, R., Bokranz, M. et al. Comparative analysis of genes encoding methyl coenzyme M reductase in methanogenic bacteria. Mol Gen Genet 213, 409–420 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00339610

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00339610

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