title: Comparison of the energetics of lactose active transport: artificial versus enzyme-associated energy source.
abstract: To further consider the thermochemical method as a useful approach for active transport research and to investigate the characteristic of a proton electrochemical potential (delta mu H+) across the membrane, the energetics of lactose active transport across Escherichia coli membrane vesicles coupled with an artificial electron donor (phenazine methosulfate-ascorbate) has been investigated. The results were compared with those obtained with an enzyme-associated electron donor (lactate dehydrogenase-D-lactate). The oxidation of an electron donor provided the energy necessary for the transport process. The observed higher heat of ascorbate oxidation reaction in the presence of a proton ionophore (carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone) further confirmed the formation of delta mu H+ across the membrane. Part of the oxidation energy was utilized to form delta mu H+. Comparison of the energetics revealed that the magnitudes of delta Hox (the enthalpy of the oxidation reaction) and delta Hm (the enthalpy of the formation of delta mu H+) in the two energy sources were comparable (-46 kcal/mol of ascorbate to -40 kcal/mol of D-lactate for delta Hox and 9.6 kcal/mol of ascorbate to 14 kcal/mol of D-lactate for delta Hm). Comparable and low value (about 1%) was also found in the free energy transfer (defined by delta Gm/delta Gox) from the oxidation reaction to the formation of delta mu H+. These results, in combination with the close values of delta mu H+ observed in the two systems, suggested that the characteristic of the created delta mu H+ was independent of the energy source. Examination of delta Hm might provide the information on the ratio of the number of protons produced, as 1 mol of two different electron donors was oxidized. The oxidation reaction in the presence of membrane vesicles was discussed.
mesh_terms: D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D001693:Biological Transport, Active; D002384:Catalysis; D004735:Energy Transfer; D007700:Kinetics; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / Q000378:metabolism; D007773:Lactates / Q000378:metabolism; D007785:Lactose / Q000378:metabolism*; D008564:Membrane Potentials; D008773:Methylphenazonium Methosulfate / Q000378:metabolism; D008956:Models, Chemical; D011522:Protons; D013816:Thermodynamics
chemical_list: D007773:Lactates; D011522:Protons; D008773:Methylphenazonium Methosulfate; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; D007785:Lactose; D001205:Ascorbic Acid