Expression of lac and gal operons in Zymomonas mobilis

Two Zymomonas mobilis strains (ZM63 and ZM6307), containing both lactose and galactose operons, were constructed. $\beta$-Galactosidase and galactokinase assays indicated that both operons were expressed in both strains. The transport systems available for lactose uptake by Zymomonas mobilis were investigated using $^{14}C$-labelled lactose. After the outer membrane, which was considered to be a possible barrier to lactose uptake, was disrupted by treatment with EDTA and $Ca^{2+}$ ions, some increase in lactose uptake was observed in ZM6306 ($lac^+$) and ZM6307 ($lac^+\;gal^+$), but not in the parent, ZM6. This suggested that the outer membrane of Zymomonas mobilis acts as a barrier to lactose uptake to some degree, and also that the lactose permease is operational in Zymomonas mobilis.