Reduced expression of the isoleucine and valine enzymes in integration host factor mutants of Escherichia coli.

The level of the isoleucine and valine (Ilv) enzymes specified by the ilvB and ilvGEDA operons is reduced in integration host factor mutants (himA and himD) of Escherichia coli K-12. Growth inhibition of these strains in minimal medium can be explained by the decreased amounts of one of the Ilv enzymes, acetohydroxy acid synthase I (AHASI). No growth inhibition, or reduction in AHASI activity, was found in a himA derivative of a mutant strain containing high constitutive levels of AHASI. A strong correlation was observed in himA strains between the reduced amount of the Ilv enzymes and of Ilv-specific messenger RNA. These data suggest that integration host factor may be a positive effector for transcription of the ilvB and ilvGEDA operons.