Abstract
In A. aerogenes, [beta]-glucosides are accumulated by 2 permeases. The one induced by alkyl and aryl [beta]-glucosides, has a high affinity for aryl [beta]-glucosides but low affinity for cellobiose. The 2nd induced by cellobiose and lactose, has a high affinity for both cellobiose and aryl [beta]-glucosides. [beta]-Glucosides are split in a phosphorylated form by a system which includes a phospho-transferase and 2 enzymes called phospho [beta]-glucosidases. Constitutive, cryptic phospho [beta]-glucosidases were found in all strains of Entero-bacteriaceae investigated so far, but not in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus.