Sequencing and linkage analysis of aCoxiella burnetii 2.1 kbNotI fragment

Most of theCoxiella burnetii isolates (72 of 80) available in our institute share a 2.1 kbNotI fragment. Sequence analysis revealed two incomplete open reading frames (ORF) for putative geneshemA andbcR coding for glutamyl-tRNA-reductase and bicyclomycin resistance protein, respectively. Upon completing the ORF for thehemA gene by sequencing the adjacentNotI/EcoRI fragment a third ORF for the putativeprfA gene was determined coding for release factor 1, an enzyme catalysing the last step in protein biosynthesis.