DNA sequence analysis of five genes; tnsA, B, C, D and E, required for Tn7 transposition.

A region of DNA sequence of the bacterial transposon Tn7, which is required for transposition, has been determined. This DNA sequence completes an 8351 base pair (bp) region containing five long open reading frames (ORF's) that correspond to the genetically defined genes, tnsA, B, C, D and E, required for Tn7 transposition. All of the ORF's are oriented in the same direction, ie. inward from the element's right end. The genes are in a very compact arrangement with the presumed initiation codons never more than two bases beyond the preceding termination codon. Domains with similarity to the helix-turn-helix genre of Cro-like, sequence specific DNA binding sites occur within the deduced amino acid (a.a.) sequence of the TnsA, TnsB, TnsD and TnsE proteins. Translation of the tnsC ORF reveals strong homology to a consensus sequence for nucleotide binding sites as well as a region of similarity to a transcriptional activator (MalT). No striking a.a. sequence similarity to other DNA recombinases is observed. The possible roles of these proteins in Tn7 transposition is discussed in light of the analysis presented.