Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Onium Compounds”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 973 records · Page 54Linked to original sources

Proton motive force and Na+/H+ antiport in a moderate halophile.

The influence of pH on the proton motive force of Vibrio costicola was determined by measuring the distributions of triphenylmethylphosphonium cation (membrane potential, delta psi) and either dimethyloxazolidinedione or methylamine (osmotic component, delta pH). As the pH of the medium was adjusted from 5.7 to 9.0, the proton motive force steadily decreased from about 170 to 100 mV. This decline occurred, despite a large increase in the membrane potential to its maximum value at pH 9.0, because of the loss of the pH gradient (inside alkaline). The cytoplasm and medium were of equal pH at 7.5; membrane permeability properties were lost at the pH extremes of 5.0 and 9.5. Protonophores and monensin prevented the net efflux of protons normally found when an oxygen pulse was given to an anaerobic cell suspension. A Na+/H+ antiport activity was measured for both Na+ influx and efflux and was shown to be dissipated by protonophores and monensin. These results strongly favor the concept that respiratory energy is used for proton efflux and that the resulting proton motive force may be converted to a sodium motive force through Na+/H+ antiport (driven by delta psi). A role for antiport activity in pH regulation of the cytosol can also explain the broad pH range for optimal growth, extending to the alkaline extreme of pH 9.0.

Carrier Proteins↗

Colicin V-treated Escherichia coli does not generate membrane potential.

Colicin V-treated Escherichia coli was inhibited in its capacity to carry out active transport of proline and was unable to generate a membrane potential. Colicin V also prevented membrane potential formation by isolated cytoplasmic membrane vesicles. We conclude that a primary effect of this colicin involves the cytoplasmic membrane as a target.

Biological Transport, Active↗

Proton motive force is not obligatory for growth of Escherichia coli.

When 50 microM carbonyl cyanide-m-chlorophenyl hydrazone (CCCP), a protonophore, was added to growth medium containing glucose at pH 7.5, Escherichia coli TK1001 (trkD1 kdpABC5) started exponential growth after 30 min; the generation time was 70 min at 37 degrees C. Strain AS1 (acrA), another strain derived from E. coli K-12, also grew in the presence of 50 microM CCCP under the same conditions, except that the lag period was ca. 3 h. When this strain was grown in the presence of 50 microM CCCP and then transferred to fresh medium containing 50 microM CCCP, cells grew without any lag. Neither a membrane potential nor a pH gradient was detected in strain AS1 cells growing in the presence of CCCP. When either succinate or lactate was substituted for glucose, these strains did not grow in the presence of 50 microM CCCP. Thus, it is suggested that E. coli can grow in the absence of a proton motive force when glucose is used as an energy source at pH 7.5.

Carbonyl Cyanide m-Chlorophenyl Hydrazone↗

Light-driven amino acid uptake in Streptococcus cremoris or Clostridium acetobutylicum membrane vesicles fused with liposomes containing bacterial reaction centers.

Reaction centers of the phototrophic bacterium Rhodopseudomonas palustris were introduced as proton motive force-generating systems in membrane vesicles of two anaerobic bacteria. Liposomes containing reaction center-light-harvesting complex I pigment protein complexes were fused with membrane vesicles of Streptococcus cremoris or Clostridium acetobutylicum by freeze-thawing and sonication. Illumination of these fused membranes resulted in the generation of a proton motive force of approximately -110 mV. The magnitude of the proton motive force in these membranes could be varied by changing the light intensity. As a result of this proton motive force, amino acid transport into the fused membranes could be observed. The initial rate of leucine transport by membrane vesicles of S. cremoris increased exponentially with the proton motive force. An H+/leucine stoichiometry of 0.8 was determined from the steady-state level of leucine accumulation and the proton motive force, and this stoichiometry was found to be independent of the magnitude of the proton motive force. These results indicate that the introduction of bacterial reaction centers in membrane vesicles by the fusion procedure yields very attractive model systems for the study of proton motive force-consuming processes in membrane vesicles of (strict) anaerobic bacteria.

Amino Acids↗

Ion selectivity of the Vibrio alginolyticus flagellar motor.

The marine bacterium, Vibrio alginolyticus, normally requires sodium for motility. We found that lithium will substitute for sodium. In neutral pH buffers, the membrane potential and swimming speed of glycolyzing bacteria reached maximal values as sodium or lithium concentration was increased. While the maximal potentials obtained in the two cations were comparable, the maximal swimming speed was substantially lower in lithium. Over a wide range of sodium concentration, the bacteria maintained an invariant sodium electrochemical potential as determined by membrane potential and intracellular sodium measurements. Over this range the increase of swimming speed took Michaelis-Menten form. Artificial energization of swimming motility required imposition of a voltage difference in concert with a sodium pulse. The cation selectivity and concentration dependence exhibited by the motile apparatus depended on the viscosity of the medium. In high-viscosity media, swimming speeds were relatively independent of either ion type or concentration. These facts parallel and extend observations of the swimming behavior of bacteria propelled by proton-powered flagella. In particular, they show that ion transfers limit unloaded motor speed in this bacterium and imply that the coupling between ion transfers and force generation must be fairly tight.

Cell Movement↗

Tobramycin uptake in Escherichia coli is driven by either electrical potential or ATP.

Aminoglycoside antibiotics such as streptomycin and tobramycin must traverse the bacterial cytoplasmic membrane prior to initiating lethal effects. Previous data on Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus subtilis have demonstrated that transport of aminoglycosides is regulated by delta psi, the electrical component of the proton motive force. However, several laboratories have observed that growth of bacterial cells can occur in the apparent absence of delta psi, and we wished to confirm these studies with E. coli and further investigate whether transport of aminoglycosides could occur in the absence of a membrane potential. Treatment of acrA strain CL2 with the protonophore carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP) dissipated delta psi, decreased intracellular ATP levels, and resulted in cessation of growth; after a variable period of time (3 to 7 h), growth resumed, ultimately achieving growth rates comparable to those of untreated cells. Absence of delta psi in these cells was confirmed by absence of [3H]tetraphenyl phosphonium+ uptake as measured by membrane filtration, lack of flagellar motion, and inability of these cells to transport proline (but not methionine). Regrowth was associated with restoration of normal intracellular ATP as measured by luciferin-luciferase bioluminescence assay. Unlike unacclimatized CL2 cells treated with CCCP, these cells transported [3H]tobramycin similarly to untreated cells; aminoglycoside-induced killing was seen in association with transport. These studies suggest that under certain circumstances aminoglycoside transport can be driven by ATP (or other high-energy activated phosphate donors) alone, in the absence of a measurable delta psi. delta uncBC mutants of CL2 incapable of interconverting delta psi and ATP were treated with CCCP, resulting in dissipation of delta psi but no alteration in ATP content. Despite maintenance of normal ATP, there was no transport of [3H] bramycin, confirming that under normal growth conditions ATP has no role in the transport of aminoglycosides.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Two glucose transport systems in Bacillus licheniformis.

Bacillus licheniformis NCIB 6346 showed active accumulation of glucose which was inhibited by agents which affect the transmembrane proton gradient. Phosphotransferase (PTS) activity, identified as phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent phosphorylation of glucose, was found in cell extracts but could not be demonstrated in cells permeabilized with toluene when assays were conducted at pH 6.6. The same was true for mannitol and fructose phosphotransferase activities. Cells grown on fructose accumulated glucose at a slower rate than glucose-grown cells, and extracts prepared from them did not contain glucose PTS activity. Examination of the effects of analogs on glucose uptake and phosphorylation showed that 2-deoxyglucose was not a PTS substrate, but did markedly inhibit glucose uptake, with stronger inhibition in cells grown on fructose. Glucose accumulation by whole cells grown on glucose became less sensitive to the uncoupler tetrachlorosalicylanilide (TCS) as the pH was raised from 6.6 to 8.0, while in fructose-grown cells TCS was equally effective across this pH range. PTS activity was exhibited by toluene-treated cells at pH 7.5 and above, although the system itself in extracts was not affected by pH in the range of 5.0 to 8.0. The results are consistent with the presence of two glucose transport systems, one a PTS and the other operating by an alternative mechanisms, and suggest that the PTS in B. licheniformis may be regulated in a pH-dependent manner.

Bacillus↗

delta psi-mediated signalling in the bacteriorhodopsin-dependent photoresponse.

It has been shown previously that the proton-pumping activity of bacteriorhodopsin from Halobacterium salinarium can transmit an attractant signal to the bacterial flagella upon an increase in light intensity over a wide range of wavelengths. Here, we studied the effect of blue light on phototactic responses by the mutant strain Pho8l-B4, which lacks both sensory rhodopsins but has the ability to synthesize bacteriorhodopsin. Under conditions in which bacteriorhodopsin was largely accumulated as the M412 bacteriorhodopsin photocycle intermediate, halobacterial cells responded to blue light as a repellent. This response was pronounced when the membrane electric potential level was high in the presence of arginine, active oxygen consumption, or high-background long-wavelength light intensity but was inhibited by an uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation (carbonyl cyanide 3-chlorophenylhydrazone) and was inverted in a background of low long-wavelength light intensity. The response to changes in the intensity of blue light under high background light was asymmetric, since removal of blue light did not produce an expected suppression of reversals. Addition of ammonium acetate, which is known to reduce the pH gradient changes across the membrane, did not inhibit the repellent effect of blue light, while the discharge of the membrane electric potential by tetraphenylphosphonium ions inhibited this sensory reaction. We conclude that the primary signal from bacteriorhodopsin to the sensory pathway involves changes in membrane potential.

Acetates↗

The proton motive force generated in Leuconostoc oenos by L-malate fermentation.

In cells of Leuconostoc oenos, the fermentation of L-malic acid generates both a transmembrane pH gradient, inside alkaline, and an electrical potential gradient, inside negative. In resting cells, the proton motive force ranged from -170 mV to -88 mV between pH 3.1 and 5.6 in the presence Of L-malate. Membrane potentials were calculated by using a model for probe binding that accounted for the different binding constants at the different pH values at the two faces of the membrane. The delta psi generated by the transport of monovalent malate, H-malate-, controlled the rate of fermentation. The fermentation rate significantly increased under conditions of decreased delta psi, i.e., upon addition of the ionophore valinomycin in the presence of KCl, whereas in a buffer depleted of potassium, the addition of valinomycin resulted in a hyperpolarization of the cell membrane and a reduction of the rate of fermentation. At the steady state, the chemical gradient for H-malate- was of the same magnitude as delta psi. Synthesis of ATP was observed in cells performing malolactic fermentation.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

mmr, a Mycobacterium tuberculosis gene conferring resistance to small cationic dyes and inhibitors.

The mmr gene, cloned from Mycobacterium tuberculosis, was shown to confer to Mycobacterium smegmatis resistance to tetraphenylphosphonium (TPP), erythromycin, ethidium bromide, acriflavine, safranin O, and pyronin Y. The gene appears to code for a protein containing four transmembrane domains. Studies of [3H]TPP intracellular accumulation strongly suggest that the resistance mediated by the Mmr protein involves active extrusion of TPP.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The Holin protein of bacteriophage PRD1 forms a pore for small-molecule and endolysin translocation.

PRD1 is a bacteriophage with an icosahedral outer protein layer surrounding the viral membrane, which encloses the linear double-stranded DNA genome. PRD1 infects gram-negative cells harboring a conjugative IncP plasmid. Here we studied the lytic functions of PRD1. Using infected cells and plasmid-borne lysis genes, we demonstrated that a two-component lysis system (holin-endolysin) operates to release progeny phage particles from the host cell. Monitoring of ion fluxes and the ATP content of the infected cells allowed us to build a model of the sequence of lysis-related physiological changes. A decrease in the intracellular level of ATP is the earliest indicator of cell lysis, followed by the leakage of K+ from the cytosol approximately 20 min prior to the decrease in culture turbidity. However, the K+ efflux does not immediately lead to the depolarization of the cytoplasmic membrane or leakage of the intracellular ATP. These effects are observed only approximately 5 to 10 min prior to cell lysis. Similar results were obtained using cells expressing the holin and endolysin genes from plasmids.

Bacteriolysis↗

Poliovirus-induced alterations in HeLa cell membrane functions.

Protein synthesis, amino acid uptake, membrane potential, cell volume, Na+ and K+ levels, and ATPase (Na+,K+ activated; EC 3.6.1.3) activity were investigated in control and poliovirus-infected HeLa cells. Inhibition of protein synthesis was first observed 60 min postinfection and reached a maximum at 120 min. The onset of protein synthesis inhibition coincided with a decrease in cell volume and with an elevation of ATPase activity in isolated HeLa cell membranes. Some 3 h after virus adsorption, ATPase activity was inhibited, the Na+-K+ gradient of the cell collapsed, both membrane potential-dependent tetraphenylphosphonium ion uptake and amino acid uptake were reduced, and the cell volume increased. These results provide further experimental support for the hypothesis that modification of the cell membrane plays an important role in the strategy of cytopathogenic viruses in the shutoff of host metabolism and cell death.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Thrombospondin 2 regulates cell proliferation induced by Rac1 redox-dependent signaling.

Thrombospondin 2 (TSP2) is a matricellular protein controlling the apoptosis-proliferation balance in endothelial cells. Little is known about its transcriptional regulation compared with that of TSP1. We found that overexpression of a constitutively active mutant of Rac (Rac(V12)) specifically increases TSP2 mRNA levels without affecting TSP1 in human aortic endothelial cells (HAEC). Moreover, TSP2 induction by Rac(V12) is dependent upon reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, as gp91ds-tat peptide, an inhibitor of NADPH oxidase, and the flavoprotein inhibitor diphenylene iodinium (DPI) block TSP2 synthesis. Furthermore, we found that increasing Rac(V12) expression results in a biphasic proliferative curve, with proliferation initially increasing as Rac(V12) expression increases and then returning to levels less than that of control cells at higher expression. This growth inhibition is mediated by TSP2, as either DPI treatment, which blocks TSP2 synthesis, or pan-TSP blocking antibodies restore the proliferative ability of HAEC with high expression. Mechanistically, we show that the effect of TSP2 on cell proliferation is independent of the antiangiogenic TSP2 Hep1 sequence, which is capable of altering actin cytoskeletal reorganization but not proliferation in our experimental conditions. Finally, we show in vivo that Rac-induced TSP2 expression is observed in the aorta of transgenic mice selectively expressing Rac(V12) in smooth muscle cells. These results identify Rac-induced ROS as a new pathway involved in the regulation of TSP2 expression.

Actins↗

Factors influencing the accumulation of tetraphenylphosphonium cation in HeLa cells.

Exposure of HeLa cells to tetraphenylphosphonium cation (TPP+) results in a rapid accumulation intracellularly, and a steady-state level is reached within 10 min. Accumulation of [3H]TPP+ in HeLa cells is reduced under the following conditions: (i) after preincubation of cells in buffered saline or in medium containing two- to fourfold higher concentrations of amino acids, (ii) exposure to the alkylating agent L-1-tosylamido-2-phenyl-ethylchloromethyl ketone, (iii) ouabain-mediated inhibition of the Na+, K+ ATPase, and (iv) high external K+ concentrations. In contrast, addition of serum increases the uptake of TPP+. In synchronized cells, intracellular levels of TPP+ differ at various stages of cell cycle and are lowest in mitosis.

Biological Transport, Active↗

Extracellular ATP induces a nonspecific permeability of thymocyte plasma membranes.

We have previously demonstrated that extracellular ATP can give medullary thymocytes the calcium message required for the induction of their blastogenesis, without mobilization of intracellular calcium. We describe here the effects of extracellular nucleotides on membrane permeability to monovalent and divalent cations in mouse thymocytes. Among all nucleotides tested, under physiological conditions, only ATP and, to a lesser extent, 2-methylthio-ATP, adenosine 5'-O-(3-thio-triphosphate), and ADP were able to depolarize thymocyte plasma membranes and to induce Na+ and Ca2+ influxes into thymocytes; other nonhydrolysable ATP analogs were only effective in the absence of Mg2+. The ATP-induced effects were inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by Mg2+ and greatly potentiated in its absence, which suggests that the tetrabasic ATP4 is probably the active species and that a phosphotransferase activity is not involved in its effects. There ATP-mediated changes in ion fluxes result from an increase in nonspecific permeability of thymocyte membranes, probably by pore formation. These ion flux changes might be responsible for the mitogenic induction of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate treated medullary thymocytes. The potency order for the adenine derivatives to affect these fluxes (ATP greater than ADP much greater than AMP greater than adenosine) suggests the presence of ATP specific receptors (P2 purinergic receptors) on thymocyte plasma membranes.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

An NAD(P)H oxidase regulates growth and transcription in melanoma cells.

Malignant melanoma cells spontaneously generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) that promote constitutive activation of the transcription factor nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB). Although antioxidants and inhibitors of NAD(P)H oxidases significantly reduce constitutive NF-kappaB activation and suppress cell proliferation (11), the nature of the enzyme responsible for ROS production in melanoma cells has not been determined. To address this issue, we now have characterized the source of ROS production in melanoma cells. We report that ROS are generated by isolated, cytosol-free melanoma plasma membranes, with inhibition by NAD(P)H oxidase inhibitors. The p22(phox), gp91(phox), and p67(phox) components of the human phagocyte NAD(P)H oxidase and the gp91(phox) homolog NOX4 were demonstrated in melanomas by RT-PCR and sequencing, and protein product for both p22(phox) and gp91(phox) was detected in cell membranes by immunoassay. Normal human epidermal melanocytes expressed only p22(phox) and NOX4. Melanoma proliferation was reduced by NAD(P)H oxidase inhibitors and by transfection of antisense but not sense oligonucleotides for p22(phox) and NOX4. Also, the flavoprotein inhibitor diphenylene iodonium inhibited constitutive DNA binding of nuclear protein to the NF-kappaB and cAMP-response element consensus oligonucleotides, without affecting DNA binding activity to activator protein-1 or OCT-1. This suggests that ROS generated in autocrine fashion by an NAD(P)H oxidase may play a role in signaling malignant melanoma growth.

Cell Division↗

A new method for determination of relative ion permeabilities in isolated cells.

The unidirectional influx of the lipophilic cation tetraphenylphosphonium (TPP+) into isolated epithelial cells is a function of the membrane potential that exists across the cellular plasma membrane. Because of the potential dependence, [14C]TPP+ influx can be used as a qualitative sensor of changes in the membrane potential induced by diffusion of ions after the experimental imposition of transmembrane ion gradients. This report describes a "crossover" procedure in which the influx of [14C]TPP+ during systematic changes in the ionic composition of incubation media is used to identify conditions in which no change in membrane potential occurs. The ion ratio at the crossover provides a measure of the relative permeabilities of the two test ions being compared. By using this approach, the ion permeabilities for intestinal epithelial cells prepared from White Rock chickens can be ranked relative to the permeability of Na+ (PNa), i.e., when PNa is equal to 1.0. The permeability sequence and relative values for ion permeability in this system are tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane-gluconate (less than 0.1) less than Li+ (0.3) less than Na+ (1.0) less than Cl- (2.0) less than K+ (6.0) = NO3- (6.0) less than SCN- (18) less than K+ + valinomycin (40). The procedure is general enough in principle to be of broad application to a wide variety of cell or membrane vesicle preparations.

Animals↗