Galactose metabolism in Rhizobium meliloti L5-30

Data from previous studies of Rhizobium meliloti mutants have been consistent with the catabolism of hexoses via the Entner-Doudoroff pathway. However, galactose metabolism was not impaired in those mutants. We show here by enzymatic assay and by identification of a galactose mutant lacking 2-keto-3-deoxy-6-phosphogalactonate aldolase that the De Ley-Doudoroff pathway is used for galactose metabolism. Mutants in this pathway have not been previously reported for any organism.