Capacity of Helicobacter pylori to generate ionic gradients at low pH is similar to that of bacteria which grow under strongly acidic conditions.
Helicobacter pylori colonized the highly acidic human gastric mucosa. At pH 3.0 to 7.0, this bacterium maintained a nearly neutral internal pH. Its membrane potential changed reciprocally with the pH gradient so that a relatively constant proton motive force was maintained. Possible, the capacity to maintain an appropriate transmembrane ionic gradient at a low pH contributes to the pathogenic propensities of this bacterium.
Matin
A
A
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, California, 94305.
Zychlinsky
E
E
Keyhan
M
M
Sachs
G
G
D002258:Carbonyl Cyanide m-Chlorophenyl Hydrazone / Q000494:pharmacology; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D013270:Stomach / Q000382:microbiology
D002258:Carbonyl Cyanide m-Chlorophenyl Hydrazone