Possible new genes as revealed by molecular analysis of a 5-kb Escherichia coli chromosomal region 5' to the rpsU-dnaG-rpoD macromolecular-synthesis operon.

The complete nucleotide sequence of 5-kb DNA fragment immediately 5' to the rpsU-dnaG-rpoD macromolecular-synthesis operon in Escherichia coli has been determined. It encodes for six open reading frames. Transcriptional and translational analysis have shown that three of them (orfx, orfz1 and orfz2) are expressed in exponentially growing E. coli cells. The orfx, directly 5' to the rpsU gene but transcribed in the opposite direction, may be part of the rpsU-dnaG-rpoD macromolecular-synthesis operon.