Galactose and lactose transport in Kluyveromyces lactis.

Transport of lactose into Kluyveromyces lactis was accomplished by a highly specific system inducible by lactose and galactose. The biosynthesis of the transport enzyme was strongly repressed by glucose. For non-induced cells, lactose penetrated by passive transport, like galactose in any type of cells. The lactose transport showed aK (m) 1.2 -4 mm, was temperature-dependent (76 kJ/mol) and was blocked by metabolic inhibitors.