title: Proline transport in Staphylococcus aureus: a high-affinity system and a low-affinity system involved in osmoregulation.
abstract: L-Proline enhanced the growth of Staphylococcus aureus in high-osmotic-strength medium, i.e., it acted as an osmoprotectant. Study of the kinetics of L-[14C]proline uptake by S. aureus NCTC 8325 revealed high-affinity (Km = 1.7 microM; maximum rate of transport [Vmax] = 1.1 nmol/min/mg [dry weight]) and low-affinity (Km = 132 microM; Vmax = 22 nmol/min/mg [dry weight]) transport systems. Both systems were present in a proline prototrophic variant grown in the absence of proline, although the Vmax of the high-affinity system was three to five times higher than that of the high-affinity system in strain 8325. Both systems were dependent on Na+ for activity, and the high-affinity system was stimulated by lower concentrations of Na+ more than the low-affinity system. The proline transport activity of the low-affinity system was stimulated by increased osmotic strength. The high-affinity system was highly specific for L-proline, whereas the low-affinity system showed a broader substrate specificity. Glycine betaine did not compete with proline for uptake through either system. Inhibitor studies confirmed that proline uptake occurred via Na(+)-dependent systems and suggested the involvement of the proton motive force in creating an Na+ gradient. Hyperosmotic stress (upshock) of growing cultures led to a rapid and large uptake of L-[14C]proline that was not dependent on new protein synthesis. It is suggested that the low-affinity system is involved in adjusting to increased environmental osmolarity and that the high-affinity system may be involved in scavenging low concentrations of proline.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Illinois State University, Normal 61761.
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Townsend
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Wilkinson
mesh_terms: D001692:Biological Transport / Q000187:drug effects; D007700:Kinetics; D011392:Proline / Q000378:metabolism*; D012964:Sodium / Q000378:metabolism; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000378:metabolism*; D014882:Water-Electrolyte Balance
chemical_list: D011392:Proline; D012964:Sodium