钝齿棒杆菌的代谢改造：L-鸟氨酸与L-瓜氨酸合成菌株的构建

【目的】对一株产L-精氨酸的钝齿棒杆菌(Corynebacterium crenatum)SYPA5-5进行代谢工程改造,构建L-鸟氨酸和L-瓜氨酸合成菌株,并考察其发酵生产相应氨基酸的性能。【方法】分别敲除菌株SYPA5-5鸟氨酸氨甲酰转移酶(Ornithine carbamoyltransferase,OTC)的编码基因argF和精胺琥珀酸合成酶(Argininosuccinate synthase,ASS)的编码基因argG,构建能够合成L-鸟氨酸及L-瓜氨酸的重组菌株SYPA5-5△argF和SYPA5-5△argG;考察不同营养条件对上述重组菌株生长和相应氨基酸积累的影响。【结果】添加0.3 g/L L-精氨酸可满足SYPA5-5△argF的生长及L-鸟氨酸积累所需,L-鸟氨酸产量可达21.5 g/L;添加L-精氨酸有利于SYPA5-5△argG的生长,但不利于L-瓜氨酸的积累;不添加L-精氨酸时,L-瓜氨酸产量可达15.2 g/L,同时积累6.8 g/L的L-谷氨酸。【结论】分别敲除L-精氨酸生产菌株SYPA5-5的argF及argG基因,可实现L-精氨酸合成途径的中间代谢物L-瓜氨酸和L-鸟氨酸的积累,拓展了该菌株的工业应用范围。     

过量表达钝齿棒杆菌柠檬酸合酶编码基因prpC2对L-精氨酸合成的影响

钝齿棒杆菌(Corynebacterium crenatum)SYPA5-5是诱变选育的一株高产精氨酸菌株。柠檬酸合酶作为TCA途径的关键酶,对细胞胞内氨基酸代谢流调节有重要作用。在钝齿棒杆菌SYPA5-5中过量表达同源的柠檬酸合酶(citrate synthase)基因prp C2,研究其对精氨酸及副产物合成的影响。重组菌C.crenatum SYPA5-5/p DXW-10-prp C2胞内柠檬酸合酶比酶活提高了5.37倍,使L-精氨酸产量在5L发酵罐中达到44.7g/L,与对照相比提高了23.1%。同时,有机酸测定分析TCA循环的精氨酸前体柠檬酸及异柠檬酸的量有所提高,且赖氨酸合成前体草酰乙酸量减少,氨基酸测定分析L-精氨酸发酵中最主要的副产物L-赖氨酸浓度由原来的5.96g/L降到1.21g/L,降低了80%。     

双功能尿苷酰转移/去除酶GlnD在谷氨酸棒杆菌JNR中的功能

【目的】通过改造谷氨酸棒杆菌JNR中双功能尿苷酰转移/去除酶GlnD,减弱尿苷酰去除酶的活性,增强NH_4~+的转运和利用,提高L-精氨酸的合成。【方法】本文对来源于谷氨酸棒杆菌的突变菌株JNR中的双功能尿苷酰转移/去除酶GlnD进行整合突变,采用同源重组的方法将H_(414)和D_(415)位点突变为两个丙氨酸AA,在此菌株的基础上过量表达PII蛋白GlnK,并对其进行尿苷酰化研究,离子色谱检测摇瓶发酵过程中NH4+的浓度,并对最终的改造菌株进行连续流加发酵分析。【结果】该双功能尿苷酰转移/去除酶在谷氨酸棒杆菌中成功进行整合突变,有效减弱了尿苷酰去除酶的活性;同时过表达PII蛋白GlnK,其酰基化程度明显增强。摇瓶发酵结果表明菌株L4消耗NH_4~+增加,L-精氨酸产量为36.2±1.2 g/L,比对照菌株L3高出22.7%。5-L发酵罐实验结果显示改造菌株L4的L-精氨酸的产量为52.2 g/L,较野生型菌株L0提高了25.3%。【结论】谷氨酸棒杆菌合成L-精氨酸的过程中氮源是必不可少的。减弱GlnD尿苷酰去除酶的活性后,胞内尿苷酰化的GlnK-UMP增加,GlnK-UMP与氮转录调控因子AmtR结合,转运至胞内的NH_4~+浓度提高,促使L-精氨酸产量显著提高。     

钝齿棒杆菌丙酮酸激酶的克隆表达及其对精氨酸合成的扰动影响

钝齿棒杆菌(Corynebacterium crenatum)SYPA 5-5是诱变选育的一株高产精氨酸菌株。丙酮酸激酶(pyruvate kinase)是EMP途径的限速酶,对胞内能量产生和代谢流调节方面都有重要作用。为提高葡萄糖消耗速率以缩短发酵周期,以钝齿棒杆菌基因组为模板,克隆得到pyk基因并将其在C.crenatum SYPA 5-5中成功表达,葡萄糖平均消耗速率为1.71 g/L/h较C.crenatum SYPA 5-5提高33.5%,精氨酸产量和最大产率分别为43.32 g/L和0.55 g/L/h较C.crenatum SYPA 5-5分别提高20%和19.5%。结果表明,加强表达丙酮酸激酶能增强EMP途径,提高精氨酸产量。     

结合缺陷型菌株显色法采用离子束诱变筛选高产L-精氨酸突变株

为快速高效筛选L-精氨酸高产突变株,建立一种缺陷菌株平板显色法并采用低能N+离子束对L-精氨酸生产用菌株钝齿棒杆菌SYPA5-5进行诱变处理,通过上述平板显色法筛选获得高产突变株.对突变株进行摇瓶发酵实验,最终选育出一株L-精氨酸产量较高且产酸性能比较稳定的突变菌株钝齿棒杆菌SYPA5-5-36.该菌株摇瓶发酵L-精氨酸产量可达35.85 g/L,比出发菌株提高了19.5％.因此,缺陷型菌株平板显色法可以用于快速、高效筛选高产L-精氨酸突变株.     

重组钝齿棒杆菌全细胞转化生产L-瓜氨酸条件优化

实现了精氨酸脱亚胺酶(ADI)首次在钝齿棒杆菌Corynebacterium crenatum SYPA 5-5中的高效表达。通过Ni-NTA亲和层析纯化得到纯化ADI,经SDS-PAGE测定其分子量约为46.8 k Da,酶学性质研究发现ADI的最适催化温度为37℃,最适pH为6.5,ADI在最佳催化条件下作用于L-精氨酸的米氏常数为12.18 mmol/L,最大反应速率为0.36μmol/(min·mL)。优化了重组菌全细胞转化产L-瓜氨酸的工艺条件,在最优条件下可一次转化300 g/L L-精氨酸,转化速率达8 g/(L·h)。进行重组菌5 L罐发酵并进行罐上全细胞转化300 g/L L-精氨酸,一批菌体可进行多次转化,累计产量达1 900 g以上。     

利用重组钝齿棒杆菌高效合成L-茶氨酸

【目的】构建Bacillus subtilis来源的γ-谷氨酰转肽酶蛋白(GGT)的Corynebacterium glutamicum SYPA5-5表达系统,验证该蛋白信号肽片段在宿主表达体系中的作用,并将该体系应用于高效合成茶氨酸的研究。【方法】将该ggt基因和切除信号肽的片段基因(?sp ggt)在C.glutamicum SYPA5-5中克隆表达。以C.glutamicum SYPA5-5高产L-精氨酸培养基为基础进行重组菌产酶优化。最优转化条件为:L-谷氨酰胺∶乙胺为1∶3,酶量为0.06 U/mL。采用底物流加策略高产L-茶氨酸,40 mL的转化体系包含:终浓度为0.9 U/mL的GGT,pH 10,37℃,从0 h开始每隔2 h补加20 mmol/L的L-谷氨酰胺,60 mmol/L的乙胺。【结果】C.glutamicum SYPA5-5/pXMJ19-ggt发酵上清液中GGT酶活达到(4.69±0.34)U/mL,C.glutamicum SYPA5-5/pXMJ19-?sp ggt只检测到胞内酶活(0.99±0.17)U/mL,说明利用B.subtilis来源的信号肽可以实现GGT在C.glutamicum体系中分泌表达。最适产酶培养基条件为:葡萄糖浓度为10%;IPTG最适添加时间为0 h。批次流加在12 h时达到最大茶氨酸产量104.36 mmol/L,转化率为86.9%。【讨论】本文首次实现B.subtilis来源的γ-谷氨酰转肽酶基因(ggt)在C.glutamicum SYPA5-5中分泌表达,通过分批流加底物获得目前报道的利用重组C.glutamicum合成L-茶氨酸的最高产量。     

钝齿棒杆菌GlnK在氮代谢调控及L-精氨酸合成中的功能

【目的】钝齿棒杆菌是重要的氨基酸生产菌株,本研究针对氮代谢PⅡ信号转导蛋白GlnK展开相关功能研究,分析其在钝齿棒杆菌氮代谢调控及L-精氨酸合成中的作用。【方法】以GlnK蛋白为研究对象,通过基因敲除等遗传方法获得过表达、敲除及敲弱glnK的重组钝齿棒杆菌,研究GlnK对NH_4~+吸收的影响,通过RT-qPCR和酶活测定,从转录水平和蛋白水平上揭示GlnK对氮代谢和L-精氨酸合成相关基因表达水平及酶活的影响,通过5-L发酵罐发酵产L-精氨酸研究GlnK对L-精氨酸合成的影响。【结果】过表达glnK能明显促进NH_4~+的吸收,而敲除glnK后则会抑制NH_4~+的摄取;RT-qPCR和酶活测定发现,相比于野生型菌株Cc5-5,glnK过表达菌株Cc-glnK中与铵吸收相关的基因,表达量平均上调约4.58倍,L-精氨酸合成基因簇中基因的表达水平平均上调1.50倍。Cc-glnK中氮代谢相关蛋白的酶活平均提高46.97%;L-精氨酸合成途径上7个关键酶的酶活平均提高30.00%;5-L发酵罐发酵各重组菌株结果表明,Cc-glnK菌株的产量可达49.53 g/L,产率为0.516 g/(L·h),相比于出发菌株Cc5-5,其L-精氨酸产量提高了28.65%。【结论】过表达GlnK能促进NH_4~+的吸收及利用,并通过影响L-精氨酸合成途径上关键基因的表达水平,提高关键酶的酶活,最终提高L-精氨酸的产量。本研究为后续探索钝齿棒杆菌氮代谢调控机制及代谢工程改造钝齿棒杆菌生产L-精氨酸提供了一种新的策略。     

钝齿棒杆菌中异源表达N-乙酰鸟氨酸脱乙酰基酶合成L-鸟氨酸的研究

目的:对一株产鸟氨酸的钝齿棒杆菌Corynebacterium crenatum SYPA5-5/△proB/△argF(SYPO-1)进行代谢工程改造,筛选不同细菌来源的N-乙酰鸟氨酸脱乙酰基酶在大肠杆菌中克隆与表达,纯化后对其进行酶学性质的比较;将黏质沙雷氏菌Serratia marcescens Y213来源的Smarg E基因编码的N-乙酰鸟氨酸脱乙酰基酶在L-鸟氨酸生产菌株C.crenatum SYPO-1中过量表达,进一步提高L-鸟氨酸的产量。方法:通过利用pDXW10穿梭质粒对不同来源的N-乙酰鸟氨酸脱乙酰化酶进行克隆表达和酶学性质比较,选择性质最优来源的N-乙酰鸟氨酸脱乙酰基酶编码基因Smarg E在产L-鸟氨酸重组钝齿棒杆菌中表达,考察重组菌株发酵过程中参数的变化。结果:来源于S.marcescens Y213的N-乙酰鸟氨酸脱乙酰基酶比酶活最高为798.98U/mg,最适pH为7,最适温度为37℃,0.1mmol/L的Mg~(2+)、Li~+、Mn~(2+)促进酶的比酶活提高了50%;在钝齿棒杆菌中表达N-乙酰鸟氨酸脱乙酰基酶酶活达到128.4U/ml,显著提高了钝齿棒杆菌中胞内乙酰基循环水平;5L发酵罐发酵重组菌株96h,L-鸟氨酸的产量达到38.5g/L,比出发菌株,L-鸟氨酸的产量提高了33.2%,产率达0.401g/(L·h)。结论:筛选出最佳来源的N-乙酰鸟氨酸脱乙酰基酶,在鸟氨酸生产菌株C.crenatum(SYPO-1)中过量表达,可以促进鸟氨酸的前体物质N-乙酰鸟氨酸的快速消耗,实现鸟氨酸的积累。     

钝齿棒杆菌精氨酸琥珀酸酶编码基因argH的克隆表达及其重组菌发酵产精氨酸研究

钝齿棒杆菌（Corynebacterium crenatum）SYPA是本实验室筛选获得的一株高产精氨酸生产菌株。精氨酸琥珀酸酶（AL）是精氨酸合成过程中的最后一个酶,催化底物精氨酸琥珀酸生成产物精氨酸。为进一步提高精氨酸产量,本文以钝齿棒杆菌基因组为模板,扩增得到其编码基因argH,全长为1434 bp,编码476个氨基酸,理论蛋白分子量大小为50.8 kDa,其与C. glutamicum ATCC 13032比对其同源性为99.4%,相差10 bp,3个氨基酸。将其在E.coli BL21(DE3)及C. crenatum SYPA中成功表达。利用载体pET-28a上的6×His?Tag选用Ni柱亲和层析纯化AL,纯化后获得的重组蛋白的比酶活达156.9mU/mg蛋白,总回收率为72.3%,对该酶的部分酶学性质进行了初步研究,并发现产物精氨酸对其具有反馈抑制作用。成功构建钝齿棒杆菌重组穿梭表达质粒pJC1-tac-argH并将其通过电击转化法转入C.crenatum SYPA中,加强其代谢途径中AL蛋白表达量,并对其发酵产精氨酸做了初步分析。结果表明与出发菌株相比,转化子在精氨酸琥珀酸酶酶活增强了66.8%的基础上精氨酸产量达40.9 g/L,比出发菌株产量的35.8 g/L提高了约14.2%。     

NhaK,a novel monovalent cation/H<Superscript>+</Superscript> antiporter of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus subtilis</Emphasis>

Four Na⁺/H⁺ antiporters, Mrp, TetA(L), NhaC, and MleN have so far been described in Bacillus subtilis 168. We identified an additional Na⁺/H⁺ antiporter, YvgP, from B. subtilis that exhibits homology to the cation: proton antiporter-1 (CPA-1) family. The yvgP-dependent complementation observed in a Na⁺(Ca²⁺)/H⁺ antiporter-defective Escherichia coli mutant (KNabc) suggested that YvgP effluxed Na⁺ and Li⁺. In addition, effects of yvgP expression on a K⁺ uptake-defective mutant of E. coli indicated that YvgP also supported K⁺ efflux. In a fluorescence-based assay of everted membrane vesicles prepared from E. coli KNabc transformants, YvgP-dependent Na⁺ (K⁺, Li⁺, Rb⁺)/H⁺ antiport activity was demonstrated. Na⁺ (K⁺, Li⁺)/H⁺ activity was higher at pH 8.5 than at pH 7.5. Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺ and Mn²⁺ did not serve as substrates but they inhibited YvgP antiport activities. Studies of yvgP expression in B. subtilis, using a reporter gene fusion, showed a significant constitutive level of expression that was highest in stationary phase, increasing as stationary phase progressed. In addition, the expression level was significantly increased in the presence of added K⁺ and Na⁺.     

Role of the furosemide-sensitive Na+/K+ transport system in determining the steady-state Na+ and K+ content and volume of human erythrocytesin vitro andin vivo

Summary To study the physiological role of the bidirectionally operating, furosemide-sensitive Na⁺/K⁺ transport system of human erythrocytes, the effect of furosemide on red cell cation and hemoglobin content was determined in cells incubated for 24 hr with ouabain in 145mm NaCl media containing 0 to 10mm K⁺ or Rb⁺. In pure Na⁺ media, furosemide accelerated cell Na⁺ gain and retarded cellular K⁺ loss. External K⁺ (5mm) had an effect similar to furosemide and markedly reduced the action of the drug on cellular cation content. External Rb⁺ accelerated the Na⁺ gain like K⁺, but did not affect the K⁺ retention induced by furosemide. The data are interpreted to indicate that the furosemide-sensitive Na⁺/K⁺ transport system of human erythrocytes mediates an equimolar extrusion of Na⁺ and K⁺ in Na⁺ media (Na⁺/K⁺ cotransport), a 1:1 K⁺/K⁺ (K⁺/Rb⁺) and Na⁺/Na⁺ exchange progressively appearing upon increasing external K⁺ (Rb⁺) concentrations to 5mm. The effect of furosemide (or external K⁺/Rb⁺) on cation contents was associated with a prevention of the cell shrinkage seen in pure Na⁺ media, or with a cell swelling, indicating that the furosemide-sensitive Na⁺/K⁺ transport system is involved in the control of cell volume of human erythrocytes. The action of furosemide on cellular volume and cation content tended to disappear at 5mm external K⁺ or Rb⁺. Thein vivo red cell K⁺ content was negatively correlated to the rate of furosemide-sensitive K⁺ (Rb⁺) uptake, and a positive correlation was seen between mean cellular hemoglobin content and furosemide-sensitive transport activity. The transport system possibly functions as a K⁺ and waterextruding mechanism under physiological conditiosin vivo. The red cell Na⁺ content showed no correlation to the activity of the furosemide-sensitive transport system.     

Effects of Tetraethylammoniumchloride (TEA), Vanadate,and Alkali Ions on the Lateral Leaflet Movement Rhythm of Desmodium motorium (Houtt.) Merr

The period (～3-5 min) of the ultradian rhythm of the lateral leaflet movement of Desmodium motorium is strongly lengthened (≤30-40%) by the K⁺ channel blocker tetraethylammoniumchloride (20, 30, and 40 mM) and vanadate (0.5 and 1 mM), which is an effective inhibitor of the plasma membrane-bound H⁺ pump. The alkali ions K⁺, Na⁺, Rb⁺, and Cs⁺ (10-40 mM) shorten the period only slightly (≤ 10–15%). Li⁺ (5-30 mM), however, increases the period of the leaflet rhythm drastically (≤80%). We concluded that the plasmalemma-H⁺-ATP-ase-driven K⁺ transport through K⁺ channels is an essential component of the ultradian oscillator of Desmodium, as has been proposed for the circadian oscillator.     

Assessing the efficacy of vesicle fusion with planar membrane arrays using a mitochondrial porin as reporter

The gene for a putative cation calcium exchanger (CCX) from Arabidopsis thaliana, AtCCX5, was cloned and its function was analyzed in yeast. Green fluorescent protein-tagged AtCCX5 expressed in yeast was localized in the plasma membrane and nuclear periphery. The yeast transformants expressing AtCCX5 were created and their growth in the presence of various cations (K⁺, Na⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Fe²⁺, Cu²⁺, Co²⁺, Cd²⁺, Mn²⁺, Ba²⁺, Ni²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Li⁺) were analyzed. AtCCX5 expression was found to affect the response to K⁺ and Na⁺ in yeast. The AtCCX5 transformant also showed a little better growth to Zn²⁺. The yeast mutant 9.3 expressing AtCCX5 restored growth of the mutant on medium with low K⁺ (0.5 mM), and also suppressed its Na⁺ sensitivity. Ion uptake experiments showed that AtCCX5 mediated relatively high-affinity K⁺ uptake and was also involved in Na⁺ transport in yeast. Taken together, these findings suggest that the AtCCX5 is a novel transport protein involves in mediating high-affinity K⁺ uptake and Na⁺ transport in yeast.     

ATP is required for K+ active transport in the archaebacterium Haloferax volcanii

The Archaebacterium Haloferax volcanii concentrates K⁺ up to 3.6 M. This creates a very large K⁺ ion gradient of between 500- to 1,000-fold across the cell membrane. H. volcanii cells can be partially depleted of their internal K⁺ but the residual K⁺ concentration cannot be lowered below 1.5 M. In these conditions, the cells retain the ability to take up potassium from the medium and to restore a high internal K⁺ concentration (3 to 3.2 M) via an energy dependent, active transport mechanism with a K _m of between 1 to 2 mM. The driving force for K⁺ transport has been explored. Internal K⁺ concentration is not in equilibrium with m suggesting that K⁺ transport cannot be accounted for by a passive uniport process. A requirement for ATP has been found. Indeed, the depletion of the ATP pool by arsenate or the inhibition of ATP synthesis by N,N-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide inhibits by 100% K⁺ transport even though membrane potential m is maintained under these conditions. By contrast, the necessity of a m for K⁺ accumulation has not yet been clearly demonstrated. K⁺ transport in H. volcanii can be compared with K⁺ transport via the Trk system in Escherichia coli.Abbreviations CCCP Carbonylcyanide m-chlorophenyl-hydrazone - DCCD N,N-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide - MES 2-[N-morpholino] ethane sulfonic acid - MOPS 3-[N-morpholino] propane sulfonic acid - TRIS Tris (hydroxymethyl) aminomethane - TPP tetraphenyl phosphonium     

The voltage-dependent potassium-uptake channel of corn coleoptiles has permeation properties different from other K+ channels

The initial response of coleoptile cells to growth hormones and light is a rapid change in plasma-membrane polarization. We have isolated protoplasts from the cortex of maize (Zea mays L.) coleoptiles to study the electrical properties of their plasma membrane by the patch-clamp techniqueUsing the whole-cell configuration and cell-free membrane patches we could identify an H⁺-ATPase, hyperpolarizing the membrane potential often more negative than -150 mV, and a voltage-dependent, inward-rectifying K⁺ channel (unit conductance 5–7 pS) as the major membrane conductan-ces Potassium currents through this channel named CKC1_in (for Coleoptile K ⁺ Channel inward rectifier) were elicited upon voltage steps negative to -80 mV, characterized by a half-activation potential of -112 mV. The kinetics of activation, well described by a double-exponential process, were strongly dependent on the degree of hyperpolarization and the cytoplasmic Ca²⁺ level. Whereas at nanomolar Ca²⁺ concentrations K⁺ currents increased with a t_1/2=16 ms (at -180 mV), higher calcium levels slowed the activation process about fourto fivefoldUpon changes in the extracellular K⁺ concentration the reversal potential of the K⁺ channel followed the Nernst potential for potassium with a 56-mV shift for a tenfold increaseThe absence of a measurable conductance for Na⁺, Rb⁺, Cs⁺ and a permeability ratio P_{NH 4} ⁺ /P_K+ around 0.25 underlines the high selectivity of CKC1_in for K⁺In contrast to Cs⁺, which at submillimolar concentration blocks the channel in a voltage-dependent manner, Rb⁺, often used as a tracer for K+, does not permeate this type of K⁺ channelThe lack of Rb⁺ permeability is unique with respect to other K⁺ transporters. Therefore, future molecular analysis of CKC1_in, considered as a unique variation of plant inward rectifiers, might help to understand the permeation properties of K⁺ channels in general.Abbreviations CKC1_in Coleoptile K ⁺ Channel inward rectifier - U membrane voltage - I_ss steady-state currents - I_tail tail currents Experiments were conducted in the laboratory of F.G. during the stay of RHas a guest professor sponsored by Special Project RAISA, subproject N2.1, paper N2155.     

Mechanisms of fusicoccin action: evidence for concerted modulations of secondary K+ transport in a higher plant cell

Fusicoccin (FC) has long been known to promote K⁺ uptake in higher plant cells, including stomatal guard cells, yet the precise mechanism behind this enhancement remains uncertain. Membrane hyperpolarization, thought to arise from primary H⁺ pumping stimulated in FC, could help drive K⁺ uptake, but the extent to which FC stimulates influx and uptake frequently exceeds any reasonable estimates from Constant Field Theory based on changes in the free-running membrane potential (V _m) alone; furthermore, unidirectional flux analyses have shown that in the toxin K⁺ (⁸⁶Rb⁺) exchange plummets to 10% of the control (G.M. Clint and E.A.C. MacRobbie 1984, J. Exp. Bot.35 180–192). Thus, the activities of specific pathways for K⁺ movement across the membrane could be modified in FC. We have explored a role for K⁺ channels in mediating these fluxes in guard cells ofVicia faba L. The correspondence between FC-induced changes in chemical (⁸⁶Rb⁺) flux and in electrical current under voltage clamp was followed, using the K⁺ channel blocker tetraethylammonium chloride (TEA) to probe tracer and charge movement through K⁺-selective channels. Parallel flux and electrical measurements were carried out when cells showed little evidence of primary pump activity, thus simplifying analyses. Under these conditions, outward-directed K⁺ channel current contributed appreciably to charge balance maintainingV _m, and adding 10 mM TEA to block the current depolarized (positive-going)V _m; TEA also reduced⁸⁶Rb⁺ efflux by 68–80%. Following treatments with 10 M FC, both K⁺ channel current and⁸⁶Rb⁺ efflux decayed, irreversbly and without apparent lag, to 10%–15% of the controls and with equivalent half-times (approx. 4 min). Fusicoccin also enhanced⁸⁶Rb⁺ influx by 13.9-fold, but the influx proved largely insensitive to TEA. Overall, FC promotednet cation uptake in 0.1 mM K⁺ (Rb⁺), despite membrane potentials which were 30–60 mVpositive of the K⁺ equilibrium potential. These results tentatively link (chemical) cation efflux to charge movement through the K⁺ channels. They offer evidence of an energy-coupled mechanism for K⁺ uptake in guard cells. Finally, the data reaffirm early suspicions that FC alters profoundly the K⁺ transport capacity of the cells, independent of any changes in membrane potential.Abbreviations and symbols E _K equilibrium potential for K⁺ - FC fusicoccin - Hepes 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazineeth-anesulfonic acid - G _m membrane (slope) conductance atV _m - I-V current-voltage (relationship) - apparent rate constant for exchange - K _i ⁺ , K ₀ ⁺ intracellular, extracellular K⁺ (concentration) - TEA tetraethylammonium chloride - V _m free-running membrane potential (difference)     

Potassium transport in red blood cells of frog Rana temporaria: demonstration of a K−Cl cotransport

Pathways of K⁺ movement across the erythrocyte membrane of frog Rana temporaria were studied using ⁸⁶Rb as a tracer. The K⁺ influx was significantly blocked by 0.1 mmol·l^-1 ouabain (by 30%) and 1 mmol·l^-1 furosemide (by 56%) in the red cells incubated in saline at physiological K⁺ concentration (2.7 mmol·l^-1). Ouabain and furosemide had an additive effect on K⁺ transport in frog red cells. The ouabain-sensitive and furosemide-sensitive components of K⁺ influx saturated as f(K⁺)_e with apparent K _m values for external K _e ⁺ concentration of 0.96±0.11 and 4.6±0.5 mmol·l^-1 and V _max of 0.89±0.04 and 2.8±0.4 mmol·l cells^-1·h^-1, respectively. The residual ouabain-furosemide-resistant component was also a saturable function of K _e ⁺ medium concentration. Total K⁺ influx was significantly reduced when frog erythrocytes were incubated in NO _- ³ medium. Furosemide did not affect K⁺ transport in frog red cells in NO ₃ ^- media. At the same K _e ⁺ concentration the ouabain-furosemide-insensitive K⁺ influx in Cl^- medium was significantly greater than that in NO _- ³ medium. We found no inhibitory effect of 1 mmol·l^-1 furosemide on Na⁺ influx in frog red cells in Cl^- medium. K⁺ loss from the frog erythrocytes in a K⁺-free medium was significantly reduced (mean 58%) after replacement of Cl^- with NO _- ³ . Furosemide (0.5 mmol·l^-1) did not produce any significant reduction in the K⁺ loss in both media. The Cl^--dependent component of K⁺ loss from frog red cells was 5.7±1.2 mmol·l^-1·h^-1. These results indicate that about two-thirds of the total K⁺ influx in frog erythrocytes is mediated by a K–Cl cotransport which is only partially blocked by furosemide.Abbreviations DMSO dimethyl sulphoxide - K _e ⁺ external concentration of K⁺ - K _m apparent Michaelis constant for external - K⁺ K _e ⁺ at V _max/2 - RBC red blood cell(s) - V _max maximal velocity of the unidirectional K⁺ influx - TRIS tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane