2.A.46 The Benzoate:H Symporter (BenE) Family

The BenE family contains only two functionally characterized and sequenced members, the benzoate permeases of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus and E. coli. These proteins are about 400 residues in length and probably span the membrane 12 times. They exhibit about 30% identity to each other and limited sequence similarity to members of the aromatic acid:H symporter (AAHS) family (2.A.1.15) of the major facilitator superfamily (MFS). However the degree of similarity with the latter proteins is insufficient to establish homology. However, the BenE family has been shown to be a member of the APC superfamily.

The generalized transport reaction catalyzed by BenE of A. calcoaceticus is:

Benzoate (out) H (out) → benzoate (in) H (in)