The glpP and glpF genes of the glycerol regulon in Bacillus subtilis

Abstract

The Bacillus subtilis glpPFKD region contains genes essential for growth on glycerol or glycerol 3-phosphate (G3P). The nucleotide sequence of glpP encoding a regulatory protein and the previously unidentified glpF encoding the glycerol uptake facilitator was determined. glpF is located immediately upstream of glpK and the two genes were shown to constitute one operon which is transcribed separately from glpP. A sigma A-type promoter and the transcriptional start point for glpFK were identified. In the 5' untranslated leader sequence (UTL) of glpFK mRNA a conserved inverted repeat is found. The repeat is believed to be involved in the control of expression of glpFK by termination/antitermination of transcription, a control mechanism previously suggested for the regulation of glpD encoding G3P dehydrogenase. Expression of glpFK and glpD requires the inducer G3P and the glpP gene product. A 2.9 kb B. subtilis chromosomal DNA fragment containing the glpP open reading frame was cloned to give plasmid pLUM7. pLUM7 contains a functional glpP gene as shown by its ability to complement various glpP mutants. Immediately upstream of glpP an open reading frame is found (ORF1). Disrupting ORF1 by plasmid integration in the B. subtilis chromosome does not affect the ability to grow on glycerol as sole carbon and energy source. With the present report all B. subtilis glp genes located at 75 degrees on the chromosomal map have been identified.