[Physiological function of membrane protein RHOGL009301 involved in transport of benzoate in Rhodococcus sp. R04].

Objective: The physiological function of membrane protein RHOGL009301 in Rhodococcus sp. R04 and the metabolic properties of the mutant strain were studied to determine the relationship between the physiological function of the membrane protein and the transport of benzoate.

Methods: The RHOGL009301 gene and the green fluorescent protein gene were fused for expressing in Rhodococcus erythropolis, and the location of RHOGL009301 was observed by Delta Vision. The RHOGL009301 gene was knocked out by homologous recombination, and the growth of wild strain and deficient strain in different carbon sources were compared. The internal and external metabolites of the wild strain and the deficient strain when grown on biphenyl and benzoate were measured by HPLC, and the changes of metabolite concentration in different growth conditions were analyzed.

Results: A fusion gene that contained RHOGL009301 gene and the green fluorescent protein gene was co-expressed in Rhodococcus erythropolis and localized on the cell membrane. The deficient strain R04ΔMP of RHOGL009301 gene was obtained. The biomass of the deficient strain was significantly reduced in biphenyl and benzoate culture, and its growth rate was slowed down. HPLC analysis showed that the deletion of RHOGL009301 gene inhibited the transport of benzoate.

Conclusion: RHOGL009301 membrane protein is one of the proteins involved in metabolism and transport of benzoate. Based on sequence homology analysis, we can conclude that the membrane protein is a novel benzoate transport protein.