CLONING AND SEQUENCING OF THE GENE ENCODING CYTOCHROME-C-553 (CO) FROM GLUCONOBACTER-SUBOXYDANS

The gene encoding cytochrome c-553 (CO) from Gluconobacter suboxydans was cloned by using a synthetic oligonucleotide probe. The complete nucleotide sequence of the cytochrome c-553 (CO) gene including 5' and 3' flanking regions has been determined. The sequence predicts a 478 amino acid residue protein product which contains three Cys-X-Y-Cys-His heme c binding sites. The predicted amino acid sequence of the cytochrome c-553 (CO) gene was found to have considerable similarity (60%) to that of the alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) cytochrome subunit from Acetobacter aceti. It is suggested that the cytochrome c-553 (CO) may act as an ADH cytochrome subunit for ethanol oxidation and be related to the KCN-insensitive and non-energy-generating bypath in the sugar-oxidizing respiratory chain in G. suboxydans.