title: Effects of potassium ions on proton motive force in Rhodobacter sphaeroides.
abstract: The proton motive force (PMF) was determined in Rhodobacter sphaeroides under anaerobic conditions in the dark and under aerobic-dark and anaerobic-light conditions. Anaerobically in the dark in potassium phosphate buffer, the PMF at pH 6 was -20 mV and was composed of an electrical potential (delta psi) only. At pH 7.9 the PMF was composed of a high delta psi of -98 mV and was partially compensated by a reversed pH gradient (delta pH) of +37 mV. ATPase inhibitors did not affect the delta psi, which was most likely the result of a K+ diffusion potential. Under energized conditions in the presence of K+ the delta psi depolarized due to electrogenic K+ uptake. This led to the generation of a delta pH (inside alkaline) in the external pH range of 6 to 8. This delta pH was dependent on the K+ concentration and was maximal at external K+ concentrations larger than 1.2 mM. In energized cells in 50 mM KPi buffer containing 5 mM MgSO4, a delta pH (inside alkaline) was present at external pHs from pH 6 to 8. As a result the overall magnitude of the PMF at various external pHs remained constant at -130 mV, which was significantly higher than the PMF under anaerobic-dark conditions. In the absence of K+, in 50 mM NaPi buffer containing 5 mM MgSO4, no depolarization of the delta psi was found and the PMF was composed of a large delta psi and a small delta pH. The delta pH became even reversed (inside acidic) at alkaline pHs (pH>7.3), resulting in a lowering of the PMF. These results demonstrate that in R. sphaeroides K+ uptake is essential for the generation of a delta pH and plays a central role in the regulation of the internal pH.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, University of Groningen, Haren, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Abee
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Hellingwerf
authors.forename: W N
authors.initials: WN
authors.lastname: Konings
mesh_terms: D000332:Aerobiosis; D000693:Anaerobiosis; D003624:Darkness; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007700:Kinetics; D008027:Light; D011188:Potassium / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012242:Rhodobacter sphaeroides / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D011188:Potassium