Factors influencing the formation and stability of D-glucoside 3-dehydrogenase activity in cultures of Agrobacterium tumefaciens.

D-glucoside 3-dehydrogenase specific activity in Agrobacterium tumefaciens was maximal towards the end of the exponential growth phase of batch cultures; over 90% of the activity disappeared within the next 15 h. Manganese ions, although essential for growth of the organism, strongly repressed D-glucoside 3-dehydrogenase synthesis in sucrose medium but had little effect when the carbon source was methyl alpha-D-glucoside. D-Glucoside 3-dehydrogenase activity increased linearly with increasing specific growth rate in chemostat cultures limited by carbon, nitrogen, phosphate or manganese when methyl alpha-D-glucoside was the carbon source. High enzyme activity was found with sucrose as carbon source only when the growth medium was manganese-limited. D-Glucoside 3-dehydrogenase activity disappeared from A. tumefaciens incubated in carbon- and nitrogen-free medium or in nitrogen-free medium containing succinate, but on continued incubation the activity returned and was then stable. The recovery of activity could be prevented by chloramphenicol or erythromycin. Bacteria containing the recovered dehydrogenase activity could not convert sucrose to 3-ketosucrose when oxygen acted as the terminal electron acceptor, but produced 3-ketosucrose at the normal rate in the presence of ferricyanide. D-Glucoside 3-dehydrogenase activity disappeared irreversibly from bacteria incubated in nitrogen-free medium containing sucrose. Loss of activity followed first order kinetics in bacteria taken from nitrogen-, phosphate- or manganese-limited chemostat steady states; an accelerating rate of decay occurred in cells grown under carbon-limitation. 8-Hydroxyquinoline, chloramphenicol, erythromycin, 2,4-dinitrophenol and manganese ions could reduce the rate of decay.     

Sucrose transport and hydrolysis inRhizobium tropici

TheRhizobium tropici strain CFN 299 was maintained on PY medium and was grown in minimal medium (MM) with sucrose, glucose, fructose and glutamate (or their combination) as carbon sources. Bacteria were able to simultaneously use different carbon sources and, with a combination sucrose and glutamate, the growth rate was faster than with either carbon source alone. Sucrose transport was induced by sucrose and partially repressed by glucose and glutamate if they were included in MM as additional carbon sources. The transport of sucrose was active because both an uncoupler (dinitrophenol, DNP) and inhibitors of terminal oxidation (KCN, NaN₃) severely reduced sucrose uptake. Sucrose transport was also sensitive to a functional sulfhydryl reagent but was much less sensitive to EDTA and arsenate. We obtained nonlinear Lineweaver-Burk plots for the uptake of sucrose (by sucrose-grown bacteria), and this implied the existence of at least two uptake mechanisms. Invertase (EC 3.2.1.26) is the main enzyme for sucrose hydrolysis in this organism. This enzyme was induced by sucrose and had high activity in mid-log phase cells when sucrose was the sole carbon source (0.2%). Invertase activity was not detected in growth medium. In general, the results obtained support the idea, thatR. tropici is adapted to sucrose utilization and to multicarbon nutrition during its interaction with plants.     

Biochemical studies on the effect of various carbon sources on growth,nitrogen fixtion,and main cellular constituents of azotobacter vinelandii,strain IV grown under various cultivation conditions

The accessibility of different carbon compounds to Azotobacter vinelandii and the productivity of nitrogen fixation were studied under static and shaking culture conditions. The nature of the carbon source applied was found to affect the yield of bacterial mass and nitrogen metabolism of the tested organism. On the basis of the efficiency of dinitrogen fixation and the yield efficiency ratio it was obvious that (sucrose + mannitol) as a source of carbon is optimum for both growth and dinitrogen fixation by A. vinelandii grown under static and shaking culture conditions. Furthermore, it was found that the highest crude protein efficiency ratio (14.6) and total carbohydrates efficiency ratio (4.3) were obtained with (sucrose + mannitol) as energy source for this organism under shaking culture condition. The experimental organism is able to convert the soluble nitrogenus substances present in molasses into more complex protein as well as to utilize the molasses as a source of energy for the fixtion of atmospheric nitrogen. The tested organism was unable to utilize sodium salicylate as the sole source of carbon.     

A novel sucrose synthase pathway for sucrose degradation in cultured sycamore cells

Enzymes of sucrose degradation and glycolysis in cultured sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus L.) cells were assayed and characterized in crude extracts and after partial purification, in an attempt to identify pathways for sucrose catabolism. Desalted cell extracts contained similar activities (20-40 nanomoles per milligram protein per minute) of sucrose synthase, neutral invertase, glucokinase, fructokinase, phosphofructokinase, and UDPglucose pyrophosphorylase (assayed with 2 micromolar pyrophosphate (PPi). PPi-linked phosphofructokinase activity was virtually dependent upon fructose 2,6-bisphosphate, and the maximum activity exceeded that of ATP-linked phosphofructokinase. Hexokinase activity, with glucose as substrate, was highly specific for ATP, whereas fructokinase activity was relatively nonspecific. At 1 millimolar nucleoside triphosphate, fructokinase activity decreased in the order: UTP > ATP > CTP > GTP. We propose two pathways for sucrose degradation. One involves invertase action, followed by classical glycolysis of hexose sugars, and the other is a novel pathway initiated by sucrose synthase. The K_m for sucrose of sucrose synthase was severalfold lower than that of neutral invertase (15 versus 65 millimolar), which may determine carbon partitioning between the two pathways. The sucrose synthase pathway proposed involves cycling of uridylates and PPi. UDPglucose pyrophosphorylase, which is shown to be an effective `PPi-scavenger,' would consume PPi and form UTP. The UTP could be then utilized in the UTP-linked fructokinase reaction, thereby forming UDP for sucrose synthase. The source of PPi is postulated to arise from the back reaction of PPi-linked phosphofructokinase. Sycamore cells contained a substantial endogenous pool of PPi (about 3 nanomoles per gram fresh weight, roughly 1/10 the amount of ATP in these cells), and sufficient fructose 2,6-bisphosphate (0.09 nanomole per gram fresh weight) to activate the PPi-linked phosphofructokinase. Possible regulation and energetic differences between the sucrose synthase and invertase pathways are discussed.     

Application of a competition model to the growth of Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sanguis in binary continuous culture.

Streptococcus mutans 6715-15 and Streptococcus sanguis 10558 were grown together in continuous culture with glucose as the limiting carbon source. The relationship of growth rate to substrate concentration was determined for pure cultures of each organism in continuous and batch cultures. A model based on competition for a growth-limiting substrate (glucose) was used to predict the proportions of each organism when grown in binary cultures. The results indicate that interactions other than competition for glucose carbon exist between S. mutans and S. sanguis grown under these conditions.     

Application of a competition model to the growth of Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sanguis in binary continuous culture

Streptococcus mutans 6715-15 and Streptococcus sanguis 10558 were grown together in continuous culture with glucose as the limiting carbon source. The relationship of growth rate to substrate concentration was determined for pure cultures of each organism in continuous and batch cultures. A model based on competition for a growth-limiting substrate (glucose) was used to predict the proportions of each organism when grown in binary cultures. The results indicate that interactions other than competition for glucose carbon exist between S. mutans and S. sanguis grown under these conditions.     

Biodegradation of propoxur by Pseudomonas species

A bacterium capable of degrading propoxur (2-isopropoxyphenyl-N-methylcarbamate) was isolated from soil by enrichment cultures and was identified as a Pseudomonas species. The organism grew on propoxur at 2 g/l as sole source of carbon and nitrogen, and accumulated 2-isopropoxyphenol as metabolite in the culture medium. The cell free extract of Pseudomonas sp. grown on propoxur contained the activity of propoxur hydrolase. The results suggest that the organism degraded propoxur by hydrolysis to yield 2-isopropoxyphenol and methylamine, which was further utilized as carbon source.     

Biochemical characterization of a fructokinase mutant of Rhizobium meliloti.

A double mutant strain (UR3) of Rhizobium meliloti L5-30 was isolated from a phosphoglucose isomerase mutant (UR1) on the basis of its resistance to fructose inhibition when grown on fructose-rich medium. UR3 lacked both phosphoglucose isomerase and fructokinase activity. A mutant strain (UR4) lacking only the fructokinase activity was derived from UR3; it grew on the same carbon sources as the parent strain, but not on fructose, mannitol, or sorbitol. A spontaneous revertant (UR5) of normal growth phenotype contained fructokinase activity. A fructose transport system was found in L5-30, UR4, and UR5 grown in arabinose-fructose minimal medium. No fructose uptake activity was detected when L5-30 and UR5 were grown on arabinose minimal medium, but this activity was present in strain UR4. Free fructose was concentrated intracellularly by UR4 > 200-fold above the external level. A partial transformation of fructose into mannitol and sorbitol was detected by enzymatic analysis of the uptake products. Polyol dehydrogenase activity was detected in UR4 grown in arabinose-fructose minimal medium. The induction pattern of polyol dehydrogenase activities in this strain might be due to slight intracellular fructose accumulation.     

Evidence of peroxisomes and peroxisomal enzyme activities in the oleaginous yeast Apiotrichum curvatum

The presence of peroxisomes and peroxisomal enzyme activities were investigated in the oleaginous yeast Apiotrichum curvatum ATCC 20509 (formerly Candida curvata D.) Catalase, a marker enzyme for peroxisomes, was measured in cell-free extracts prepared by sonication. The nature of the carbon and nitrogen sources in the growth medium greatly affected catalase activity. Cells grown on corn oil had high specific activity of catalase, but those grown on glucose, sucrose, or maltose had low specific activity. High specific activity of catalase was measured in cultures grown on media that supported poor growth (with soluble starch as carbon source or with methylamine, urea, or asparagine as nitrogen source). Peroxisomes from cells grown on corn oil were separated from other subcellular fractions in a discontinuous sucrose gradient. Major peaks of activity of fatty acid beta-oxidation and of two key enzymes in the glyoxylate cycle were found in fractions containing peroxisomes, but not in fractions corresponding to the mitochondria. Peroxisomal beta-oxidation showed equivalent activity with palmitoyl CoA or n-octanoyl CoA as substrate. Mitochondria did not seem to contain NAD-linked glutamate dehydrogenase. Peroxisomes with a homogeneous matrix and core surrounded by a single-layer membrane were observed with an electron microscope in cells grown on corn oil, but not in those grown on glucose. Staining with 3,3'-diaminobenzidine revealed that catalase activity was located in peroxisomes. Peroxisomes in this oleaginous yeast play important roles in lipid metabolism.     

Cell-wall structure and composition of Penicillium janczewskii as affected by inulin

Penicillium janczewskii, a filamentous fungus isolated from the rhizosphere of Vernonia herbacea (Asteraceae), grows rapidly on media containing either sucrose or inulin as carbon sources. Maintenance of P. janczewskii on inulin medium induces secretion of proteins with high inulinase activity but results in a mycelium that easily collapses and breaks. We evaluated the influence of inulin on fungal growth and colony morphology and on cell-wall structure and composition in comparison with growth and wall characteristics on sucrose-containing medium. P. janczewskii grown on Czapek medium with agar containing 1% (w/v) sucrose or inulin showed differences in the color and morphology of the colonies, although growth rates were similar on both carbon sources. Scanning-electron microscopy revealed that the hyphae from fungus grown on inulin-containing medium are much thinner than those from fungus cultivated on sucrose. Ultrastructural analysis of 5 d old cultures using transmission-electron microscopy indicated significant differences in the cell-wall thickness between hyphae grown on inulin or sucrose media. No differences were detected in the overall carbohydrate and protein contents of cell walls isolated from cultures grown on the two carbon sources. Glycosyl composition analyses showed glucose and galactose as the predominant neutral monosaccharides in the walls but showed no differences attributable to the carbon source. Glycosyl linkage composition analyses indicated a predominance of 3-linked glucopyranosyl in the hyphal walls when P. janczewskii was grown on inulin-containing medium. Our results suggest that growth on inulin as the sole carbon source results in structural changes in the mycelia of P. janczewskii that lead to mycelial walls with altered physical and biological properties.     

H2-dependent mixotrophic growth of N2-fixing Azotobacter vinelandii.

Azotobacter vinelandii can grow with a variety of organic carbon sources and fix N2 without the need for added H2. However, due to an active H2-oxidizing system, H2-dependent mixotrophic growth in an N-free medium was demonstrated when mannose was provided as the carbon source. There was no appreciable growth with either H2 or mannose alone. Both the growth rate and the cell yield were dependent on the concentrations of both substrates, H2 and mannose. Cultures growing mixotrophically with H2 and mannose consumed approximately 4.8 mmol of O2 and produced 4.6 mmol of CO2 per mmol of mannose consumed. In the absence of H2, less CO2 was produced, less O2 was consumed, and cell growth was negligible. The rate of acetylene reduction in mixotrophic cultures was comparable to the rate in cultures grown in N-free sucrose medium. The rate of [14C]mannose uptake of cultures with H2 was greater than with argon, whereas [14C]sucrose uptake was unaffected by the addition of H2; therefore, the role of H2 in mixotrophic metabolism may be to provide energy for mannose uptake. A. vinelandii is not an autotroph, as attempts to grow the organism chemoautotrophically with H2 or to detect ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase activity were unsuccessful.     

Amylase secretion by sweet potato,Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam., cell cultures grown on various carbon sources

Cell cultures of sweet potato grown in media containing sucrose, glucose, maltose, or starch secreted amylase into the growth medium. The growth rate of cells was not appreciably affected by the carbon source employed for growth, although cells grown on sucrose had a slightly longer lag period before exponential growth occurred. Amylase levels inside the cells were not affected by carbon source, but the amount of amylase released into the medium was drastically affected. Maltose-grown cells released the most amylase while sucrose-grown cells released the least. Cells grown in the light released about twice as much amylase as cells grown in the dark when grown on glucose, maltose, or starch.Three amylase electrophoretic forms were found in the storage root tissue from which all cultures were derived. Cells grown in culture exhibited either two or three amylase forms, depending on the carbon source. The slowest migrating root amylase was found only in cells grown on starch. The root amylase having intermediate mobility was present in all cultures, as was a form having higher mobility than the most mobile root form. The fastest migrating electrophoretic form from the root was not present in any of the cells.Paper No. 8466 of the Journal Series of the North Carolina Agricultural Research Service, Raleigh, NC. The use of trade names in this publication does not imply endorsement by the North Carolina Agricultural Research Service of products named, nor criticism of similar ones not mentioned.     

Characterization of a maltose transport system in Clostridium acetobutylicum ATCC 824

The utilization of maltose by Clostridium acetobutylicum ATCC 824 was investigated. Glucose was used preferentially to maltose, when both substrates were present in the medium. Maltose phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP)-dependent phosphotransferase system (PTS) activity was detected in extracts prepared from cultures grown on maltose, but not glucose or sucrose, as the sole carbon source. Extract fractionation and PTS reconstitution experiments revealed that the specificity for maltose is contained entirely within the membrane in this organism. A putative gene system for the maltose PTS was identified (from the C. acetobutylicum ATCC 824 genome sequence), encoding an enzyme II^Mal and a maltose 6-phosphate hydrolase. Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology (2001) 27, 298–306. Received 12 September 2000/ Accepted in revised form 30 November 2000     

Effect of Carbon Source on Enzymes and Metabolites of Arginine Metabolism in Neurospora

The levels of enzymes and metabolites of arginine metabolism were determined in exponential cultures of Neurospora crassa grown on various carbon sources. The carbon sources decreased in effectiveness (as determined by generation times) in the following order: sucrose, acetate, glycerol, and ethanol. The basal and induced levels of the catabolic enzymes, arginase (EC 3.5.3.1) and ornithine transaminase (EC 2.6.1.13), were lower in mycelia grown on poor carbon sources. Arginase was more sensitive to variations in carbon source than was ornithine transaminase. Induction of both enzymes was sensitive to nitrogen metabolite control, but this sensitivity was reduced in mycelia grown on glycerol or ethanol. The pools of arginine and ornithine were reduced in mycelia grown in unsupplemented medium containing poor carbon sources, but the biosynthetic enzyme ornithine transcarbamylase (EC 2.1.3.3) was not derepressed. The arginine pools were similar, regardless of carbon source, in mycelia grown in arginine-supplemented medium. The ornithine pool was reduced by growth on poor carbon sources. The rate of arginine degradation was proportional to the level of arginase in both sucrose- and glycerol-grown mycelia. The distribution of arginine between cytosol and vesicles was only slightly altered by growth on glycerol instead of sucrose. The slightly smaller cytosolic arginine concentration did not appear to be sufficient to account for the alterations in basal and induced enzyme levels. The results suggest a possible carbon metabolite effect on the expression or turnover of a variety of genes for enzymes of arginine metabolism in Neurospora.     

Characterization of Sucrolysis via the Uridine Diphosphate and Pyrophosphate-Dependent Sucrose Synthase Pathway

The breakdown of sucrose to feed both hexoses into glycolytic carbon flow can occur by the sucrose synthase pathway. This uridine diphosphate (UDP) and pyrophosphate (PPi)-dependent pathway was biochemically characterized using soluble extracts from several plants. The sucrolysis process required the simultaneous presence of sucrose, UDP, and PPi with their respective K_m values being about 40 millimolar, 23 micromolar, and 29 micromolar. UDP was the only active nucleotide diphosphate. Slightly alkaline pH optima were observed for sucrose breakdown either to glucose 1-phosphate or to triose phosphate. Sucrolysis incrased with increasing temperature to near 50°C and then a sharp drop occurred between 55 and 60°C. The breakdown of sucrose to triose-P was activated by fructose 2,6-P₂ which had a K_m value near 0.2 micromolar. The cytoplasmic phosphofructokinase and fructokinase in plants were fairly nonselective for nucleotide triphosphates (NTP) but glucokinase definitely favored ATP. A predicted stoichiometric relationship of unity for UDP and PPi was measured when one also measured competing UDPase and pyrophosphatase activity. The cycling of uridylates, UDP to UTP to UDP, was demonstrated both with phosphofructokinase and with fructokinase. Enzyme activity measurements indicated that the sucrose synthase pathway has a major role in plant sucrose sink tissues. In the cytoplasmic sucrose synthase breakdown pathway, a role for the PPi-phosphofructokinase was to produce PPi while a role for the NTP-phosphofructokinase and for the fructokinase was to produce UDP.     

Influence of Carbon Source on Nitrate Removal by Nitrate-Tolerant Klebsiella oxytoca CECT 4460 in Batch and Chemostat Cultures

The nitrate-tolerant organism Klebsiella oxytoca CECT 4460 tolerates nitrate at concentrations up to 1 M and is used to treat wastewater with high nitrate loads in industrial wastewater treatment plants. We studied the influence of the C source (glycerol or sucrose or both) on the growth rate and the efficiency of nitrate removal under laboratory conditions. With sucrose as the sole C source the maximum specific growth rate was 0.3 h⁻¹, whereas with glycerol it was 0.45 h⁻¹. In batch cultures K. oxytoca cells grown on sucrose or glycerol were able to immediately use sucrose as a sole C source, suggesting that sucrose uptake and metabolism were constitutive. In contrast, glycerol uptake occurred preferentially in glycerol-grown cells. Independent of the preculture conditions, when sucrose and glycerol were added simultaneously to batch cultures, the sucrose was used first, and once the supply of sucrose was exhausted, the glycerol was consumed. Utilization of nitrate as an N source occurred without nitrite or ammonium accumulation when glycerol was used, but nitrite accumulated when sucrose was used. In chemostat cultures K. oxytoca CECT 4460 efficiently removed nitrate without accumulation of nitrate or ammonium when sucrose, glycerol, or mixtures of these two C sources were used. The growth yields and the efficiencies of C and N utilization were determined at different growth rates in chemostat cultures. Regardless of the C source, yield carbon (Y_C) ranged between 1.3 and 1.0 g (dry weight) per g of sucrose C or glycerol C consumed. Regardless of the specific growth rate and the C source, yield nitrogen (Y_N) ranged from 17.2 to 12.5 g (dry weight) per g of nitrate N consumed. In contrast to batch cultures, in continuous cultures glycerol and sucrose were utilized simultaneously, although the specific rate of sucrose consumption was higher than the specific rate of glycerol consumption. In continuous cultures double-nutrient-limited growth appeared with respect to the C/N ratio of the feed medium and the dilution rate, so that for a C/N ratio between 10 and 30 and a growth rate of 0.1 h⁻¹ the process led to simultaneous and efficient removal of the C and N sources used. At a growth rate of 0.2 h⁻¹ the zone of double limitation was between 8 and 11. This suggests that the regimen of double limitation is influenced by the C/N ratio and the growth rate. The results of these experiments were validated by pulse assays.     

Effects of anaerobiosis and nitrate on the expression of succinate dehydrogenase and enzymes associated with nitrogen metabolism in Klebsiella pneumoniae

We have shown that the low histidase activity found in anaerobic, nitrogen-limited cultures of Klebsiella pneumoniae is due to repression of the right-hand hut operon. In addition, we have examined the effects of NO3- on the aerobic and anaerobic expression of catabolite- and NH4+-repressible enzymes in this organism. NO3- permitted anaerobic growth of K. pneumoniae in minimal medium containing histidine as the sole carbon source, and histidase and succinate dehydrogenase were derepressed during anaerobic growth in histidine/NO3- medium. Use of sucrose rather than histidine as the carbon source reversed the effects of NO3- and repressed histidase and succinate dehydrogenase activities. Anaerobic growth in sucrose/NO3- medium also uncoupled the expression of urease and glutamine synthetase.     

Response of hepatic fructokinase to long-term sucrose diets and diabetes in spiny mice, albino mice and rats

The activity of hepatic fructokinase increased about 2-fold in desert-derived spiny mice (Acomys cahirinus) and laboratory bred albino mice and rats, maintained on a 50% sucrose diet for 3 months. The role of fructose as the specific inducer was apparent, as 25% fructose diet produced activity increases similar to those of sucrose in contrast to 25% glucose diet. The activity of hexokinase was not affected by the sucrose diet, that of glucokinase rose marginally but those of pyruvate kinase and NADP-malate dehydrogenase rose pronouncedly, especially in the spiny mice. Fructokinase activity increased significantly only after 2 weeks on the diet and continued to rise gradually. The activities of other gycolytic enzymes rose markedly already after 3 days and peaked at about 14 days. Fasting for 48 hr did not influence fructokinase activity while markedly reducing that of glucokinase, pyruvate kinase and NADP-malate dehydrogenase. Streptozotocin diabetes in rats resulted in a 40% reduction in fructokinase activity after 14 days which was restored after 6 days of insulin treatment. The activity increases of other glycolytic enzymes were more marked. However, the fructokinase induction on the sucrose diet was evident also in diabetic rats, suggesting that the insulin and substrate effects are independent. The preference of fructose over glucose phosphorylation capacity was clearly demonstrable in the non-diabetic and diabetic rats and became enhanced on sucrose feeding. The activity of triokinase also increased on the sucrose diet in the 3 rodent species, suggesting a coordinative substrate effect on the induction of these two rate-limiting fructolysis enzymes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Expression of the Escherichia coli pmi gene, encoding phosphomannose-isomerase in Zymomonas mobilis, leads to utilization of mannose as a novel growth substrate, which can be used as a selective marker.

Wild-type Zymomonas mobilis can utilize only three substrates (sucrose, glucose, and fructose) as sole carbon sources, which are largely converted into ethanol and carbon dioxide. Here, we show that although D-mannose is not used as a growth substrate, it is taken up via the glucose uniport system (glucose facilitator protein) with a Vmax similar to that of glucose. Moreover, D-mannose was phosphorylated by a side activity of the resident fructokinase to mannose-6-phosphate. Fructokinase was purified to homogeneity from an frk-recombinant Z. mobilis strain showing a specific activity of 205 +/- 25 U of protein mg-1 with fructose (K(m), 0.75 +/- 0.06 mM) and 17 +/- 2 U mg-1 (relative activity, 8.5%) with mannose (K(m), 0.65 +/- 0.08 mM). However, no phosphomannoseisomerase activity could be detected for Z. mobilis, and this appeared to be the reason for the lack of growth on mannose. Therefore, we introduced the Escherichia coli gene pmi (manA) in Z. mobilis under the control of a lacIq-Ptac system on a broad-host-range plasmid (pZY507; Cmr). Subsequently, in pmi-recombinant cells of Z. mobilis, phosphomannoseisomerase was expressed in a range of from 3 U (without isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside [IPTG]) to 20 U mg-1 of protein in crude extracts (after IPTG induction). Recombinant cells of different Z. mobilis strains utilized mannose (4%) as the sole carbon source with a growth rate of 0.07 h-1, provided that they contained fructokinase activity. When the frk gene was additionally expressed from the same vector, fructokinase activities of as much as 9.7 U mg-1 and growth rates of as much as 0.25 h-1 were detected, compared with 0.34 h-1 on fructose for wild-type Z. mobilis. Selection for growth on mannose was used to monitor plasmid transfer of pZY507pmi from E. coli to Z. mobilis strains and could replace the previous selection for antibiotic resistance.