Transport of beta-Galactosides in Lactobacillus plantarum NC2.

The ability of Lactobacillus plantarum NC2 to transport thiomethyl-beta-d-galactoside in the presence or absence of various inhibitors was investigated to determine the mechanism of beta-galactoside transport in this bacterium. A novel system employing l-arabinose as an energy-generating compound is described, and evidence that this transport is energized by an ATP-driven proton motive force is presented.