When ptsG, a glucose-specific phosphotransferase system (PTS) component, is deleted in Escherichia coli, growth can be severely poor because of the lack of efficient glucose transport. We discovered a new PTS transport system that could transport glucose through the growth-coupled experimental evolution of ptsG-deficient E. coli C strain under anaerobic conditions. Genome sequencing revealed mutations in agaR, which encodes a repressor of N-acetylgalactosamine (Aga) PTS expression in evolved progeny strains. RT-qPCR analysis showed that the expression of Aga PTS gene increased because of the loss-of-function of agaR. We confirmed the efficient Aga PTS-mediated glucose uptake by genetic complementation and anaerobic fermentation. We discussed the discovery of new glucose transporter in terms of different genetic backgrounds of E. coli strains, and the relationship between the pattern of mixed-acids fermentation and glucose transport rate.
Keywords: N-Acetylgalactosamine; PTS; adaptive evolution; agaR; anaerobic fermentation.