Regulation and over-expression of the fnr gene of Escherichia coli

Abstract

The fnr gene of Escherichia coli encodes a transcriptional activator (FNR) which is required for the expression of a number of genes involved in anaerobic respiratory pathways. From the study of a translational fusion of fnr to the gene for beta-galactosidase (lacZ) it has been concluded that the fnr gene is expressed under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions and is subject to autoregulation and repression by glucose, particularly during anaerobic growth. These findings imply that during anaerobiosis the FNR protein adopts an active conformation, in which it functions both as a repressor of the fnr gene and as an activator of fnr-dependent genes. Sequences in the 5' non-coding region of fnr which could be involved in autoregulation are discussed. The fnr coding region was cloned into an expression vector which has allowed an amplification of FNR synthesis such that it accounts for about 2% of total cell protein. The ability to over-produce FNR in this way should be very useful for future biochemical studies.