The membrane-associated F 0 F 1 ATPase is essential for the viability of Streptococcus pneumoniae

Abstract

Genetic studies aimed at eliminating expression of the atp operon (F0F1H+-ATPase) of Streptococcus pneumoniae by genetic disruption of atpC,the first gene of the operon, with a chloramphenicol-resistance cassettewere performed. Resistant transformants were obtained only when therecipient strain had a duplication of atpC, recombination occurring insuch a way that transcription of the operon from its own promoter wasallowed. These results imply that the atp operon is essential for theviability of the cells. (C) 2002 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. onbehalf of the Federation of European Microbiological Societies.