Permeability changes in the cytoplasmic membrane of Escherichia coli K-12 early after infection with bacteriophage T1.
The nature of the bacteriophage T1-induced changes in the permeability of the cytoplasmic membrane of Escherichia coli K-12 was investigated. At 20 degrees C and with glucose as a substrate, the addition of one bacteriophage per cell induced a complete and irreversible loss of K+ ions (single-hit phenomenon). K+ loss was compensated by an uptake of Na+, Li+, or choline by the cell, depending on which of these ions was the major cation in the medium. T1 depolarized the cells and inhibited 86Rb+-K+ exchange across the cytoplasmic membrane. The loss of K+ occurred independently of the Mg2+ concentration in the medium. By contrast, at low but not at high Mg2+ concentrations, T1 caused efflux of Mg2+ which in turn caused inhibition of respiration and a decrease of delta pH.
D002414:Cations, Monovalent; D002463:Cell Membrane Permeability; D002794:Choline / Q000378:metabolism; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000378:metabolism*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007700:Kinetics; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism; D012413:Rubidium / Q000378:metabolism; D013604:T-Phages / Q000378:metabolism*
D002414:Cations, Monovalent; D012413:Rubidium; D002794:Choline; D011188:Potassium