The gene ipdB (REQ_07160) is an ortholog of rv3552 of Mycobacterium
tuberculosis and likewise localized in the cholesterol catabolic
gene cluster of its bacterial chromosome of Rhodococcus equi. The
encoded protein IpdB (GenBank accession CBH46833) carries a COG2057
signature of AtoA, the beta subunit acetoacetyl-CoA transferase of
E. coli. It is thought that IpdB is an beta subunit of a
heterodimeric coenzyme A transferase involved in steroid
catabolism, more specific in methylhexahydroindanone propionate
degradation. It was shown that the cholesterol catabolism is
important for pathogenicity of R. equi.
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