Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Determination of the transmembrane proton gradient in the anaerobic bacterium Desulfovibrio desulfuricans by 31P nuclear magnetic resonance

  • Original Papers
  • Published:
Archives of Microbiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The transmembrane proton gradient of the sulfate-reducing bacterium Desulfovibrio desulfuricans strain CSN has been determined by in vivo31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy in the absence of dioxygen. At pH 7.0 in the medium (pHex) the intracellular pH (pHin) was 7.5. By lowering pHex to 5.9 pHin decreased to 7.1. At pHex greater than 7.7 the transmembrane proton gradient (ΔpH) was zero. The uncouplers 3,3′,4′,5-tetrachlorosalicylanilide (TCS) and carbonylcyanide-m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP), or the permeant anion thiocyanate caused complete dissipation of ΔpH.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

CCCP :

carbonylcyanide-m-chlorophenylhydrazone

TCS :

3,3′,4′,5-tetrachlorosalicylanilide

MOPS :

3-(N-morpholino)-propanesulfonic acid

P i :

inorganic phosphate

pH in (pHex):

intracellular (extracellular) pH

ΔpH :

transmembrane proton gradient (pHin-pHex)

ΔΨ:

electrochemical membrane potential

δ:

chemical shift in parts per million

NMR :

nuclear magnetic resonance

References

  • Burt C, Cohen S, Barany M (1979) Analysis of intact tissue with 31P NMR. Annu Rev Biophys Bioeng 8: 1–25

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cotton FA, Wilkinson G (1982) Anorganische Chemie. Verlag Chemie, Weinheim, p 483

    Google Scholar 

  • Dawson M, Gadian D, Wilkie D (1977) Contraction and recovery of living muscles studied by 31P nuclear magnetic resonance. J Physiol 267: 703–735

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cypionka H (1989) Characterization of sulfate transport in Desulfovibrio desulfuricans. Arch Microbiol 152: 237–243

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cypionka H, Pfennig N (1986) Growth yields of Desulfotomaculum orientis with hydrogen in chemostat culture. Arch Microbiol 143: 396–399

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nicolay K, Kaptein R, Hellingwerf KJ, Konings W (1981) 31P Nuclear magnetic resonance studies of energy transduction in Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides. Eur J Biochem 116: 191–197

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Padan E, Zilberstein D, Schuldiner S (1981) pH homeostasis in bacteria. Biochim Biophys Acta 650: 151–166

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Roberts J, Jardetzky O (1981) Monitoring of cellular metabolism by NMR. Biochim Biophys Acta 639: 53–76

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rottenberg H (1975) The measurement of transmembrane electrochemical proton gradients. Bioenerg 7: 61–74

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schmidt K, Liaaen-Jensen S, Schlegel HG (1963) Die Carotinoide der Thiorhodaceae. I. Okenon als Hauptcarotinoid von Chromatium vinosum Perty. Arch Mikrobiol 46: 117–126

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Slonczewski J, Rosen B, Alger J, MacNab M (1981) pH homeostasis in Escherichia coli: measurement by 31P nuclear magnetic resonance of methylphosphonate and phosphate. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 78: 6271–6275

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Thauer RK (1989) Energy metabolism of sulfate-reducing bacteria. In: Autotrophic bacteria. Schlegel HG, Bowien B (eds) Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, pp 397–413

    Google Scholar 

  • Tschech A, Pfennig N (1984) Growth yield increase linked to caffeate reduction in Acetobacterium woodii. Arch Microbiol 137: 163–167

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Fakultät für Biologie, Universität Konstanz, Postfach 5560, W-7750, Konstanz, Germany

    Michael Kroder, Peter M. H. Kroneck & Heribert Cypionka

Authors
  1. Michael Kroder
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Peter M. H. Kroneck
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Heribert Cypionka
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Kroder, M., Kroneck, P.M.H. & Cypionka, H. Determination of the transmembrane proton gradient in the anaerobic bacterium Desulfovibrio desulfuricans by 31P nuclear magnetic resonance. Arch. Microbiol. 156, 145–147 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00290988

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00290988

Key words

Search

Navigation