The functional integrity of the
QUTB gene (encoding quinate dehydrogenase) has been confirmed by transformation of a
qutB mutant strain. The DNA sequence of the contiguous genes
QUTD (quinate permease),
QUTB and
QUTG (function unknown) has been determined and analysed, together with that of
QUTE (catabolic 3-dehydroquinase). The
QUTB sequence shows significant homology with the shikimate dehydrogenase function of the complex
AROM locus of
Aspergillus nidulans, and with the
QA-3 quinate dehydrogenase and
QA-1S (repressor) genes of
Neurospora crassa. The
QUTD gene shows strong homology with the
N. crassa QA-Y gene and
QUTG with the
QA-X gene.
QUTD,
QUTB, and
QUTG,
QUTE form two pairs of divergently transcribed genes, and conserved sequence motifs identified in the two common 5

non-coding regions show significant homology with UAS
GAL
and UAS
QA
sequences of the
Saccharomyces cerevisiae and
N. crassa Gal and
QA systems. In addition, conserved 5

sequences homologous to the mammalian CAAT box are noted and a previously unreported conserved 22 nucleotide motif is presented.
Key words Quinic acid utilization - DNA sequence - Divergent transcription - Permease - Upstream activator
Communicated by W. Gajewski