Genetic mapping of the locus for detergent-resistant phospholipase A(pldA) in Escherichia coli K-12.

An Escherichia coli K-12 mutant deficient for detergent-resistant (DR) phospholipase A, a principal enzyme catalyzing the first step in phospholipid degradation, was characterized genetically. The mutation was found to affect the locus pldA (phospholipid degradation), which is cotransducible both with ilv and metE at a frequencies of 13 and 78%, respectively, and shown to lie between the ilv and metE loci on the E. coli chromosome. DR phospholipase A(1) and A(2) activities were simultaneously transduced with pldA(+) by phage P1; therefore it is proposed that DR phospholipase A has both activities.