Characterization of a Novel Acyl Carrier Protein, RkpF, Encoded by an Operon Involved in Capsular Polysaccharide Biosynthesis in Sinorhizobium meliloti

Rhizobial capsular polysaccharides (RKPs) play an important role in the development of a nitrogen-fixing symbiosis with the plant host and in Sinorhizobium meliloti AK631 functional rkpABCDEF genes are required for the production of RKPs. After cloning the rkpF gene, we overexpressed and purified the derived protein product (RkpF) in Escherichia coli . Like acyl carrier protein (ACP), the RkpF protein can be labeled in vivo with radioactive...