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Divergent evolution of chloroplast-type ferredoxins
S Harayama1, A Polissi, M Rekik
1Department of Medical Biochemistry, University Medical Center, Geneva, Switzerland.
FEBS Letters
|July 8, 1991
Summary
The function of the xylT gene in Pseudomonas putida was identified as encoding chloroplast-type ferredoxins. This finding suggests a physiological role for xylT and its homolog nahT in electron transfer.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- The TOL plasmid pWW0 in *Pseudomonas putida* facilitates toluene oxidation via enzymes encoded in two operons.
- The specific function of the *xylT* gene within these operons remained unidentified prior to this study.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the nucleotide sequence of the *xylT* gene.
- To elucidate the function of the *xylT* gene product.
- To investigate the evolutionary relationships of *xylT* and its homolog *nahT*.
Main Methods:
- DNA sequencing of the *xylT* gene from pWW0 and the *nahT* gene from NAH7 plasmid.
- Bioinformatic analysis to compare sequences with known ferredoxins.
- Sequence homology analysis.
Main Results:
- The nucleotide sequence of *xylT* was determined, revealing a product with characteristics of chloroplast-type ferredoxins.
- The *nahT* gene, a homolog of *xylT*, was also sequenced, showing significant sequence conservation.
- Both XylT and NahT sequences exhibit homology to ferredoxins found in photosynthetic organisms and electron-transfer components of oxygenases.
Conclusions:
- The *xylT* gene encodes a chloroplast-type ferredoxin, suggesting a role in electron transfer for toluene metabolism.
- The sequence conservation between *xylT* and *nahT* implies a shared physiological function in their respective plasmids.
- These findings contribute to understanding the evolution and function of ferredoxins in bacterial systems.