Molecular, genetic, and biochemical characterization of the serC gene of Methanosarcina barkeri Fusaro

Abstract

The Methanosarcina barkeri serC gene, encoding phosphoserine aminotransferase, was cloned by complementation of an Escherichia coli serC mutant, and its nucleotide sequence was determined. The M. barkeri SerC protein shares significant homology with other known SerC proteins. E. coli serC hosts carrying the cloned gene express phosphoserine aminotransferase activity, verifying the function of this gene.