Cloning of a Novel $Na^+$-Dependent L-Serine Specific Symporter Gene from Haemophilus influenzae Rd and Characteristics of the Transporter

A protein that exhibited a high similarity to a major serine transporter of Escherichia coli, SdaC, was found in Haemophilus injluenzae Rd. Also, $Na^+$-stimulated serine transport activity was detected in the cells. The sdaC of H. injluenzae was cloned and the properties of the transporter were investigated. The activity of serine transport was stimulated by $Na^+$. Uptake of $Na^+$ elicited by L-serine influx into cells was also observed, which supports the idea that L-serine is transported by a mechanism of $Na^+$serine symport. No uptake of $H^+$ elicited by L-serine influx was detected. This result was not consistent with that obtained with the homologous protein, SdaC of E. coli, which uses $H^+$as a coupling cation. The serine transport via the SdaC of H. influenzae was not inhibited by other amino acids such as threonine or D-serine like the SdaC of E. coli. Thus, the SdaC of H. influenzae is a $Na^+$-dependent L-serine specific symporter and an unusual natural mutant. The $K_m$ and the $V_{max}$, value for the serine transport in the SdaC of H. influenzae were $7.6\mu$M and 22.9 nmol/min/mg protein, respectively.