The birA gene of Escherichia coli encodes a biotin holoenzyme synthetase.

Abstract

Mutations in the birA gene of Escherichia coli cause defects in biotin operon repression, biotin uptake and retention of intracellular biotin (Campbell et al., 1972: Barker &, Campbell, 1980). We report here that the birA gene encodes the major biotin-fixing enzyme of this organism, the acetyl-CoA carboxylase biotin holoenzyme synthetase (EC 6.3.4.15). Unlike the situation in wild-type E. coli extracts, measurements of labeled biotin incorporation into protein in sonicated extracts reveal no in vitro activity. Three different mutants exhibit altered holoenzyme synthetase activity, including one clear instance of a thermolabile activity specified by birA361. Amplification of birA gene expression by infection of cells with a λ phage bearing an EcoRI fragment of the E. coli chromosome which includes the gene results in a 20- to 40-fold increase in specific activity. When the λbirA phage carries the birA85 mutation, no activity increase is observed. Infection of cells with a λbirA361 transducing phage results in a 20- to 40-fold increase in temperature-sensitive activity. We have purified the activity specified by birA361 approximately 1000-fold and have shown that the purified enzyme is more thermolabile than similarly purified wild-type enzyme. Measurements of holoenzyme synthetase in extracts and biotin uptake by whole cells indicate that certain mutations located at the same chromosomal position as birA mutations but initially characterized as defective only in bio repression are also deficient in biotin holoenzyme synthetase and biotin uptake. This result indicates that all mutations at this location affect the same enzyme, and we have redesignated these “bioR” mutations as birA. Results of complementation analysis of birA mutations and biochemical characterization of the gene and its product, presented in the accompanying paper, support the view that the birA product functions both as the bio repressor and biotin holoenzyme synthetase.