Organization and regulation of the mannopine cyclase-associated opine catabolism genes in Agrobacterium tumefaciens 15955.

We have isolated and characterized Tn3HoHo1- and Tn5-induced mutants of a cosmid clone, pYDH208, which encodes the mannopine (MOP) cyclase-associated catabolism of MOP and agropine (AGR). Characterization of the transposon-induced lacZ fusion mutants by beta-galactosidase activity and mannityl opine utilization patterns identified at least 6 genetic units associated with the catabolism of these opines. Functions for the catabolism of MOP and mannopinic acid are encoded by a 16.4-kb region, whereas those for AGR are encoded by a 9.4-kb region located within the MOP catabolic locus. The induction pattern of catabolism shown by transposon insertion derivatives suggests that the catabolism of MOP, AGR, and mannopinic acid encoded by pYDH208 is regulated by at least two independent control elements. Kinetic uptake assays indicate that the clone encodes two transport systems for MOP and AGR, one constitutive and slow and the other inducible and rapid. Analysis of beta-galactosidase activities from lacZ reporter gene fusions indicated that expression of mannityl opine catabolic genes is not strongly repressed by sugars but is repressed by succinate when ammonium is the nitrogen source. The repression exerted by succinate was relieved when MOP was supplied as the sole source of nitrogen. This suggests that genes for opine catabolism encoded by pYDH208 are regulated, in part, by nitrogen availability.