Galactokinase activity in Streptococcus thermophilus

R. Hutkins, H. A. Morris, L. L. McKay

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

37 Scopus citations

Abstract

ATP-dependent phosphorylation of [14C]galactose by 11 strains of Streptococcus thermophilus indicated that these organisms possessed the Leloir enzyme, galactokinase (galK). Activities were 10 times higher in fully induced, galactose-fermenting (Gal+) strains than in galactose-nonfermenting (Gal-) strains. Lactose-grown, Gal- cells released free galactose into the medium and were unable to utilize residual galactose or to induce galK above basal levels. Gal+ S. thermophilus 19258 also released galactose into the medium, but when lactose was depleted growth on galactose commenced, and galK increased from 0.025 to 0.22 μmol of galactose phosphorylated per min per mg of protein. When lactose was added to galactose-grown cells of S. thermophilus 19258, galK activity rapidly decreased. These results suggest that galK in Gal+ S. thermophilus is subject to an induction-repression mechanism, but that galK cannot be induced in Gal- strains.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)777-780
Number of pages4
JournalApplied and environmental microbiology
Volume50
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 1985
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biotechnology
  • Food Science
  • Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
  • Ecology

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