[Cloning, expression and structure of the functionally active shortened lon gene in Escherichia coli]

Lon gene of E. coli has been cloned into the plasmid pBR327. Full nucleotide sequence of the gene has been established. It was shown that the cloned gene does not possess the terminal codon and is somewhat shortened. Nevertheless it retains full phenotypic activity and expresses the C-end modified La proteinase which retains ATP-dependent proteolytic activity.