Diversity of the phosphoenolpyruvate/glucose phosphotransferase system in the Enterobacteriaceae

The presence of the phosphoenolpyruvate glucose phosphotransferase entry routes was studied in 97 genospecies of Enterobacteriaceae. Phosphoenolpyruvate(PEP)-dependent phosphorylation of alpha-methyl-D-glucoside and 2-deoxyglucose was evidenced in 72 species (group I organisms), suggesting the presence of both the IIGlc (formerly II-BGlc/IIIGlc) and IIMan (formerly II-B/II-AMan) 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 IIMan 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 alpha-methyl-D-glucoside, suggesting the absence of the IIGlc entry route (group III organisms).