Regulatory mechanisms in the biosynthesis of isoleucine and Valine II. Identification of two operator genes

A tightly clustered set of five structural genes governs the synthesis of the five enzymes of isoleucine and valine biosynthesis in Escherichia coli. Three of the genes governing transaminase B, dehydrase, and threonine deaminase, are controlled by a single operator locus, designated oprA. The structural gene governing the condensing enzyme is controlled by a second operator locus, designated oprB. Both oprA and oprB have been shown to regulate structural genes which are cis, but not trans, to their own operator. No mutations have yet been found which affect the level of reductoisomerase, but the existence of a third operator controlling the synthesis of this enzyme can be inferred. Enzyme derepression resulting from mutations in oprA confers resistance to high levels of valine. Derepression of the condensing enzyme resulting from mutations in oprB confers resistance to low levels of valine, and to α-aminobutyric acid. The significance of these findings with respect to the valine sensitivity of E. coli strain K-12 is discussed