Genetic and biochemical studies on mannose-negative mutants that are deficient in phosphomannose isomerase in Escherichia coli K-12.

Two mannose-negative mutants of Escherichia coli K-12 have been isolated. These mutants are deficient in the ability to synthesize phosphomannose isomerase and capsular polysaccharide when grown on glucose-containing media. Interrupted mating experiments to determine the kinetics of genetic transfer show that the two mannose-negative mutations map together between the histidine and tryptophan regions of the E. coli chromosome.