Effects of the Escherichia coli sfsA gene on mal genes expression and a DNA binding activity of SfsA

The sfsA gene was identified as one of the sfs genes the over-expression of which stimulates maltose fermentation of the Mal(-) Escherichia coli strain MK2001 (crp*1 cya:Km(r)). Expression from the malPQ promoter, which was measured using a chromosomally integrated malPp-lacZ fusion, was induced by over-expressing the sfsA gene in the crp*1, cya:Km(r) strain. The level of the MalE protein was increased in crp*1, cya:Km(r) cells over-producing SfsA. The SfsA protein was purified to homogeneity and tested for DNA binding activity. The purified SfsA protein binds to DNA non-specifically. All these results may suggest that SfsA functions as a DNA binding protein to induce the mat genes in coordination with CRP*1.