The nucleotide sequence of a putative membrane transport gene from Clostridium perfringens

Abstract

A gene from Clostridium perfringens encoding a highly hydrophobic polypeptide of M₁=30698 was cloned and sequenced. The polypeptide showed similarities with the inner membrane proteins of binding protein-dependent transport systems of the gram negative enterobacteria. The sequence homology to the UgpE and MaIG proteins of Escherichia coli was 27.6%, or 60.4 and 52.2%, respectively, taking into account the conservative amino acid changes. The polypeptide contained the EAA — G ——-(I/V)-LP motif of the gram negative transport proteins. This motif may thus be very old, as clostridia and E. coli separated some 1.5x10⁹ years ago. The similarities suggest a common evolutionary origin of these genes.

Key Words:

• cloning
• Clostridium perfringens
• membrane transport
• nucleotide sequence