Gene order and gene-polypeptide relationships of the proton-translocating ATPase operon (unc) of Escherichia coli.

We have constructed an extensive set of plasmids that carry the genes specifying the eight polypeptides of the proton-translocating ATPase of Escherichia coli. Using detailed restriction analysis and in vitro protein synthesis directed by these plasmids, we have established the order of the eight unc genes to be BEFHAGDC and the corresponding polypeptides to be a, c, b, delta, alpha, gamma, beta, and epsilon. These analyses include determining the location of the gene coding for the delta subunit of the F1 portion of the complex. We call this gene uncH. We have now established the gene order and gene-polypeptide relationships of the unc operon. This approach should be of use for study of other multigene bacterial operons, especially those with genes coding for polypeptides with unknown or unmeasurable catalytic activity.