Cloning, sequencing and expression of the dnaJ gene of Coxiella burnetii

A 6-kb EcoRl genomic DNA fragment of Coxiella burnetii, isolated from a recombinant bacteriophage λZapII library, allowed heterologous genetic complementation of Escherichia coli deleted for its dnaJ gene. The C. burnetii dnaJ gene was expressed in E. coli and identified by Western blot analysis using polyclonal antibodies raised against purified E. coli DnaJ protein. Deletion mapping and genetic complementation demonstrated that C. burnetii dnaJ is present on a 2-kb EcoRI-HindlII genomic DNA fragment, from which the nt sequence of the C. burnetii dnaJ gene was determined.