Characterization of the Escherichia coli gluconate permease encoding the gntP gene.

Gluconate is an important food source of E. coli in the mammalian gut. A new gene, gntP, located proximal to and downstream of the fim gene cluster encoding type 1 fimbriae has been studied and found to be involved in gluconate uptake. The gntP gene was cloned and characterized and shown to encode a high affinity gluconate permease. The GntP protein was shown to be located in the inner membrane. The project has been aimed at a detailed genetic and biochemical characterization of this important gene. Also, the topology of the protein is of interest. Further studies in animal models with the aim to investigate the in vivo role of the permease in animal models are ongoing.