The pyridine nucleotide cycle of Salmonella typhimurium: genetic characterization of the pncXA operon.

A series of Mud1 and Tn10 insertions were identified in the pncA chromosome region of Salmonella typhimurium which is responsible for the production of nicotinamide deamidase. Both pncA (resulting in no nicotinamide deamidase activity) and pncX (resulting in lowered nicotinamide deamidase activity) insertions were constructed. In addition, mutants which could utilize nicotinamide as a sole source of nitrogen were isolated. These mutants, designated pncH, hyperproduce nicotinamide deamidase. Genetic studies utilizing pncX--lacZ and pncA--lacZ operon fusions indicate that pncX::Tn10 insertions reduce transcription of pncA--lac while pncH mutations increase the expression of both pncA--lacZ and pncX-lacZ. The gene order was determined as purB--pncA--pncX--gdh with transcription of both pncA and pncX occurring in the counterclockwise direction. Merodiploid studies suggest a model whereby pncX and pncA form an operon with the major promoter occurring upstream from pncX. A second, weaker promoter for pncA must be situated between pncX and pncA. The pncH mutations appear to occur in the pncX promoter (pncXp) increasing promoter activity.