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J Bacteriol, April 1998, p. 2152-2159, Vol. 180, No. 8
0021-9193/98/$04.00+0
Copyright © 1998, American Society for Microbiology. All rights reserved.

An AT-Rich Tract Containing an Integration Host Factor-Binding Domain and Two UP-Like Elements Enhances Transcription from the pilEp₁ Promoter of Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Janet A. M. Fyfe^* and John K. Davies

Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia

Received 16 December 1997/Accepted 20 February 1998

The pilE gene of Neisseria gonorrhoeae is transcribed from a ⁷⁰ promoter (pilEp₁) with an AT-rich tract extending 65 nucleotides upstream of the 35 box. Within this region is an integration host factor (IHF)-binding core consensus sequence. We have performed a detailed analysis to determine which upstream sequences are required for efficient transcription from pilEp₁ in N. gonorrhoeae. Deletion of sequences upstream of the AT-rich tract had no effect on the level of transcription. However, the IHF-binding core consensus sequence and the AT-rich sequence further upstream were both required for enhanced levels of transcription from this promoter in both N. gonorrhoeae and an Escherichia coli strain producing IHF. In addition, an UP-like element positioned between the 35 box and the IHF-binding site was required for maximal transcription. The AT-rich region upstream of the IHF-binding core consensus sequence can also act as an UP-like element when appropriately repositioned upstream of the 35 box.

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^* Corresponding author. Mailing address: Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Wellington Rd., Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia. Phone: 61 3 9905 4809. Fax: 61 3 9905 4811. E-mail: Janet.Fyfe{at}med.monash.edu.au.

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