title: Effect of K+ on the membrane functions of an alkalophilic Bacillus.
abstract: We have examined the involvement of K+ in the membrane functions of a facultatively alkalophilic Bacillus at neutral and alkaline pH. The effects of K+ on membrane functions, such as maintenance of the membrane potential, leucine uptake and respiratory activity, were dependent on the external pH. K+ uptake, which induced alkalinization of the cytoplasm, is suggested to be electrogenic at neutral pH and 'electroneutral' at alkaline pH, resulting in a similar level of net accumulation. We suggest that the bacterial membrane is highly permeable to K+ at neutral pH, compared to alkaline pH, which results in a pH-dependent effect of K+ on the above membrane functions.
mesh_terms: D001407:Bacillus / Q000502:physiology*; D001692:Biological Transport / Q000187:drug effects; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007700:Kinetics; D007930:Leucine / Q000378:metabolism; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000187:drug effects; D011188:Potassium / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012964:Sodium / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D012964:Sodium; D007930:Leucine; D011188:Potassium