Oxygen-regulated stimulons of Salmonella typhimurium identified by Mu d(Ap lac) operon fusions.

Using the technique of Mu d1(Ap lac)-directed lacZ operon fusions, several oxygen-regulated genetic loci were identified in Salmonella typhimurium. Thirteen anaerobically inducible and six aerobically inducible operon fusions were identified. Based on control by the oxrA and oxrB regulatory loci, the anti-lacZ fusions were grouped into three classes: class I loci were regulated by both oxr loci, class II genes were regulated by oxrA only, and class III loci were not affected by either regulatory locus. Several of the anti-lacZ fusions required growth in complex medium before they exhibited the inducible phenotype. While the expression of some of these loci was repressed when organisms were grown in nitrate, others were stimulated by nitrate. Fusions into the hyd and phs loci were identified among the isolated anti-lacZ fusions. Six oxygen-inducible (oxi) operon fusions were also identified. Two of the oxi loci mapped near oxygen-regulatory loci: oxiC near oxrA and oxiE near oxyR. However, neither fusion appeared to occur within the regulatory locus. The data presented serve to further define the aerobic and anaerobic stimulons of S. typhimurium but indicate additional regulatory circuits above those already defined.