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The identification of a new family of sugar efflux pumps in Escherichia coli
Author(s) -
Liu Jia Yeu,
Miller Paul F.,
Gosink Mark,
Olson Eric R.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
molecular microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.857
H-Index - 247
eISSN - 1365-2958
pISSN - 0950-382X
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2958.1999.01321.x
Subject(s) - efflux , biology , escherichia coli , biochemistry , lactose permease , plasmid , open reading frame , gene , genetics , microbiology and biotechnology , permease , peptide sequence
Using a functional cloning strategy with an Escherichia coli genomic plasmid library, we have identified a new family of sugar efflux proteins with three highly homologous members in the E. coli genome. In addition, two open reading frames, one present in Yersinia pestis and the other in Deinococcus radiodurans appear to encode closely related proteins. An in vitro transport assay using inside‐out membrane vesicles prepared from overproducing strains was used to demonstrate that members of this new family can efflux [ 14 C]‐lactose. As sugar efflux phenomena have been reported previously in several bacterial species including E. coli , the identification of a new family of sugar efflux proteins may help to reveal the physiological role of sugar efflux in metabolism. It is proposed that the E. coli members of this family, whose functions were previously unknown, be given the gene family designation SET for sugar efflux transporter.