Identification and analysis of the rpoS-dependent promoter of katE, encoding catalase HPII in Escherichia coli.

The rpoS gene of Escherichia coli encodes an alternative sigma factor of RNA polymerase sigma38 (or sigma(s)) that is required for transcription of katE encoding catalase HPII. The transcription start site of the single katE transcript identified by ribonuclease protection has been determined by primer extension analysis to be either 53 or 54 bp (depending on the strain used) upstream of the open reading frame. A series of promoter fragments were constructed and fused to lacZ to confirm the start site location. A - 10 sequence similar to that found in other sigma70- and sigma38-dependent E. coli promoters was identified 8 or 7 bp upstream of the start site but a sigma70-dependent -35 sequence was not evident.