Characteristics of -dependent Serine Transport in Haemophilus Influenzae Rd

We identified two proteins in Haemophilus influenzae Rd that exhibited high similarity to two major serine transporters of Escherichia coli (SstT and SdaC). Then, we investigated serine transport in H. influenzae Rd and detected $Na^{+}$-stimulated L-serine transport activity. The optimum NaCl concentration for this stimulation was about 20 mM. The uptake of $Na^{+}$ by H. influenzae Rd was found to be elicited by L-serine influx, 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. $Na^{+}$/serine symport activity was not inhibited by other amino acids such as L-threonine or D-serine. Two distinct Km values were obtained from the kinetic analysis of serine transport. Thus, two serine transport pathways may exist in H. influenzae Rd, and it appears that both systems are stimulated by $Na^{+}$.