Identification of the Escherichia coli nicotinic acid mononucleotide adenylyltransferase gene

The gene (ybeN) coding for nicotinate mononucleotide adenylyltransferase, an NAD(P) biosynthetic enzyme, has been identified and overexpressed in Escherichia coli. This enzyme catalyzes the reversible adenylation of nicotinate mononucleotide and shows product inhibition. The rate of adenylation of nicotinate mononucleotide is at least 20 times faster than the rate of adenylation of nicotinamide mononucleotide.