Biology Dept., Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
The sdaB gene which codes for the second L-serine deaminase (L-SD) of Escherichia coli K-12 has been sequenced and shown to be very similar to the sdaA gene which codes for the first L-serine deaminase. sdaB is transcribed in rich medium, particularly in the absence of glucose, and is under the control of catabolite activator protein. A mutation which established expression of the sdaB gene and synthesis of L-serine deaminase 2 in minimal medium has been demonstrated to result in a change in the ribosome-binding site of the sdaB gene.