Diversity of the phosphoenolpyruvate/glucose phosphotransferase system in the Enterobacteriaceae

Abstract

The presence of the phosphoenolpyruvate glucose phosphotransferase entry routes was studied in 97 genospecies of Enterobacteriaceae. Phosphoenolpyruvate(PEP)-dependent phosphorylation of α-methyl-D-glucoside and 2-deoxyglucose was evidenced in 72 species (group I organisms), suggesting the presence of both the II Glc (formerly II-B Glc/III Glc) and II Man (formerly II-B/II-A Man) entry routes. Erwinia amylovora, Budvicia aquatica and all species of Leminorella and Proteus (as defined by DNA relatedness studies) showed little or no PEP phosphorylation of 2-deoxyglucose, suggesting the absence of the II Man entry route (group II organisms). Morganella morganii, Tatumella ptyseos and all species of Xenorhabdus and Providencia (as defined by DNA relatedness studies) showed little or no PEP phosphorylation of α-methyl-D-glucoside, suggesting the absence of the II Glc entry route (group III organisms).