Uptake of 2-oxoglutarate in Synechococcus strains transformed with the Escherichia coli kgtP gene

A number of cyanobacteria from different taxonomic groups exhibited very lo w levels of uptake of 2-[U-C-14] oxoglutarate. Synechococcus sp. strain PCC 7942 was transformed with DNA constructs carrying the Escherichia coli kgt P gene encoding a 2-oxoglutarate permease and a kanamycin resistance gene c assette. The Synechococcus sp. strains bearing the kgtP gene incorporated 2 -oxoglutarate into the cells through an active transport process. About 75% of the radioactivity from the 2-[U-C-14] oxoglutarate taken up that was re covered in soluble metabolites was found as glutamate and glutamine. 2-Oxog lutarate was, however, detrimental to the growth of a Synechococcus sp. str ain bearing the kgtP gene.