Ion-conducting channels in a gram-positive bacterium.
The patch-clamp technique was used to obtain information on the existence and properties of ion channels in giant protoplasts obtained from the Gram-positive bacterium Streptococcus faecalis. The membrane proved to contain a pore with numerous conductance states, ranging from 10 pS to several nanosiemens. Application of a slight pressure differential across the membrane resulted in the activation of the channel. The pressure sensitivity points to a relationship between this channel and one recently discovered in E. coli spheroplasts [(1987) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 84, 2297-2301] suggesting that pores of this type might be widespread among prokaryotes.
Zoratti
M
M
CNR Unit for the Physiology of Mitochondria, Institute of General Pathology, Padova, Italy.
Petronilli
V
V
D004553:Electric Conductivity; D004594:Electrophysiology; D013293:Enterococcus faecalis / Q000502:physiology*; D006874:Hydrostatic Pressure; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000502:physiology*
D007473:Ion Channels