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

Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA ABSTRACT The gene for the putative transporter for glucose and galactose from Brucella abortus strain 2308 was isolated by functional complementation of Escherichia coli strains 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 respective E. coli strains. The sequence of the 1806 bp overlap between these two plasmids was determined. A 1242 bp ORF whose disruption eliminated complementation of both E. coli strains showed 36% identity with the E. coli fucP gene 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 to E. coli hisG was found. One of the plasmids complemented E. coli hisG mutants. Author for correspondence: Richard C. Essenberg. Tel: +1 405 744 6193. Fax: +1 405 744 7799. e-mail: ressenherg@bmb.okstate.edu Keywords: Brucella abortus , transport, glucose, galactose, major facilitator family Present address: Department of Pediatrics, Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA. Present address: 4605 Sycamore Lane, Edmond, OK 73034, USA.