We have cloned a DNA fragment from a genomic library of Myxococcus xanthus using an oligonucleotide probe representing conserved regions of biotin carboxylase subunits of acetyl coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) carboxylases. The fragment contained two open reading frames (ORF1 and ORF2), designated the accB and accA genes, capable of encoding a 538-amino-acid protein of 58.1 kDa and a 573-amino-acid protein of 61.5 kDa, respectively. The protein (AccA) encoded by the accA gene was strikingly similar to biotin carboxylase subunits of acetyl-CoA and propionyl-CoA carboxylases and of pyruvate carboxylase. The putative motifs for ATP binding, CO 2 fixation, and biotin binding were found in AccA. The accB gene was located upstream of the accA gene, and they formed a two-gene operon. The protein (AccB) encoded by the accB gene showed high degrees of sequence similarity with carboxyltransferase subunits of acetyl-CoA and propionyl-CoA carboxylases and of methylmalonyl-CoA decarboxylase. Carboxybiotin-binding and acyl-CoA-binding domains, which are conserved in several carboxyltransferase subunits of acyl-CoA carboxylases, were found in AccB. An accA disruption mutant showed a reduced growth rate and reduced acetyl-CoA carboxylase activity compared with the wild-type strain. Western blot analysis indicated that the product of the accA gene was a biotinylated protein that was expressed during the exponential growth phase. Based on these results, we propose that this M. xanthus acetyl-CoA carboxylase consists of two subunits, which are encoded by the accB and accA genes, and occupies a position between prokaryotic and eukaryotic acetyl-CoA carboxylases in terms of evolution.

We have cloned a gene, pdcA, from the genomic library of Myxococcus xanthus with an oligonucleotide probe representing conserved regions of penicillin-resistantdd-carboxypeptidases. The amino- and carboxy-terminal halves of the predicted pdcA gene product showed significant sequence similarity toN-acetylmuramoyl-l-alanine amidase and penicillin-resistant dd-carboxypeptidase, respectively. ThepdcA gene was expressed in Escherichia coli, and the characteristics of the gene product were similar to those ofdd-carboxypeptidase (VanY) of vancomycin-resistant enterococci. No apparent changes in cell growth, sporulation, or germination were observed in pdcA deletion mutants.

The mac-1 gene of Myxococcus xanthus TA, an antibiotic TA producer, encoded a protein with strong sequence similarity to the antibiotic ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter for macrolide antibiotics. The mac-1 gene encoding protein (Mac-1) had two ATP-binding domains containing Walker A and B motifs, and no hydrophobic transmembrane regions. Insertional inactivation of mac-1 caused enhanced sensitivity to oleandomycin, a macrolide antibiotic, while the mac-1 mutant showed normal export of antibiotic TA into the extracellular fluid. The mac-1 mutant could form mounds, but was unable to form fruiting bodies or sporulate under nutrient starvation. A primary role for Mac-1 in M. xanthus may be as a transporter which exports or imports a molecule required for the sporulation process.