Structural analysis of the dnaA and dnaN genes of Escherichia coli

The nucleotide sequence of the entire region containing the Escherichia coli dnaA and dnaN genes was determined. Base substitutions by such mutations as dnaA46, dnaA167, dnaN59, and dnaN806 were also identified. Analyses of coding frames, the mutational base substitutions, and other data indicate that dnaN follows dnaA, both have the same orientation, and are separated by only 4 bp. The deduced amino acid sequence specifies Mrs and isoelectric points consistent with those of the previously identified gene products. The transcriptional initiation site of the dnaA gene was assigned by analysis of in vitro RNA products. Examination of the intercistronic sequence and analysis of in vitro transcription supported the notion that the dnaA and dnaN genes constitute a single operon.