Transport and catabolism of D-mannose in Rhizobium meliloti

Rhizobium meliloti L5-30 grows on D-mannose as the sole carbon source. The catabolic pathway of D-mannose was characterized. The following activities were present: mannose transport system, mannokinase, and mannosephosphate isomerase. Several mannose-negative mutants were selected; they were classified into three functional groups: group I, mannokinase and mannosephosphate isomerase defective: group II, mannokinase defective; and group III, mannosephosphate isomerase defective. Mannose uptake was an active process, since it was inhibited by azide, dinitrophenol, and cyanide, but not by fluoride or arsenate. Growth on succinate repressed mannose uptake activity. The mannose transport system was present in all the mutants. Uptake studies showed that mannose-negative mutants did not metabolize this sugar.