Reconstitution of binding protein dependent ribose transport in spheroplasts derived from a binding protein negative Escherichia coli K12 mutant and from Salmonella typhimurium.

Highly purified ribose-binding protein from Escherichia coli has been used to reconstitute binding-protein-dependent ribose transport in spheroplasts derived from a binding-protein-deficient mutant of E coli K12, and in spheroplasts derived from Salmonella typhimurium. The cross-species reconstitution was nearly as efficient as the reconstitution of the E coli strain from which the binding protein was derived. Antibody raised against the ribose binding protein completely prevented reconstitution, whereas it had no effect on whole cells. The reconstitution procedure has been improved by generating spheroplasts from cells grown in a rich medium and by reducing the background uptake in spheroplasts through a special washing procedure. Rapid purification of ribose binding protein by high pressure liquid chromatography is also described.