Brucella abortus strain 2308 putative glucose and galactose transporter gene: cloning and characterization

Abstract

The gene for the putative transporter for glucose and galactose fromBrucella abortusstrain 2308 was isolated by functional complementation ofEscherichia colistrains lacking either glucose or galactose transport systems. The same two plasmid clones were isolated from each screen. These clones restored glucose and galactose transport to the respectiveE. colistrains. The sequence of the 1806 bp overlap between these two plasmids was determined. A 1242 bp ORF whose disruption eliminated complementation of bothE. colistrains showed 36% identity with theE. coli fucPgene encoding a fucose transporter. These two transporters are members of the major facilitator superfamily, in which they represent a previously undescribed family. In addition, an incomplete gene similar toE. coli hisGwas found. One of the plasmids complementedE. coli hisGmutants.