The Bacterial Phosphotransferase System: New Frontiers 50 Years after Its Discovery
In 1964, Kundig, Ghosh and Roseman reported the discovery of the phosphoenolpyruvate:sugar phosphotransferase system (PTS), which they subsequently proposed might catalyze sugar transport as well as sugar phosphorylation. What we have learned in the 50 years since its discovery is that, in addition...
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Published in | Journal of molecular microbiology and biotechnology Vol. 25; no. 2-3; pp. 73 - 78 |
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Main Author | |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
Switzerland
S. Karger AG
01.01.2015
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Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | In 1964, Kundig, Ghosh and Roseman reported the discovery of the phosphoenolpyruvate:sugar phosphotransferase system (PTS), which they subsequently proposed might catalyze sugar transport as well as sugar phosphorylation. What we have learned in the 50 years since its discovery is that, in addition to these primary functions, the PTS serves as a complex protein kinase system that regulates a wide variety of transport, metabolic and mutagenic processes as well as the expression of numerous genes. Recent operon- and genome-sequencing projects have revealed novel PTS protein-encoding genes, many of which have yet to be functionally defined. The current picture of the PTS is that of a complex system with ramifications in all aspects of cellular physiology. Moreover, its mosaic evolutionary history is unusual and intriguing. The PTS can be considered to serve many prokaryotes in capacities of communication and coordination, as do the nervous systems of animals. |
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Bibliography: | ObjectType-Article-1 content type line 23 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 |
ISSN: | 1464-1801 1660-2412 |
DOI: | 10.1159/000381215 |