The electrochemical proton gradient in Escherichia coli membrane vesicles.

Membrane vesicles isolated from Escherichia coli grown under various conditions generate a transmembrane pH gradient (delta pH) of about 2 pH units (interior alkaline) under appropriate conditions when assayed by flow dialysis. Using the distribution of weak acids to measure delta pH and the distribution of the lipophilic cation triphenylmethylphosphonium to measure the electrical potential (delta psi) across the membrane, the vesicles are demonstrated to develop an electrochemical proton gradient (delta-muH+) of almost - 200 mV (interior negative and alkaline) at pH 5.5 in the presence of reduced phenazine methosulfate or D-lactate, the major component of which is a deltapH of about - 120 mV. As external pH is increased, deltapH decreases, reaching 0 at about pH 7.5 and above, while delta psi remains at about - 75 mV and internal pH remains at pH 7.5-7.8. The variations in deltapH correlate with changes in the oxidation of reduced phenazine methosulfate or D-lactate, both of which vary with external pH in a manner similar to that described for deltapH. Finally, deltapH and delta psi can be varied reciprocally in the presence of valinomycin and nigericin with little change in delta-muH+ and no change in respiratory activity. These data and those presented in the following paper (Ramos and Kaback 1976) provide strong support for the role of chemiosmotic phenomena in active transport and extend certain aspects of the chemiosmotic hypothesis.     

The proton electrochemical gradient across the plasma membrane of yeast is necessary for phospholipid flip

Recently, two members of the P4 family of P-type ATPases, Dnf1p and Dnf2p, were shown to be necessary for the internalization (flip) of fluorescent, 7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl(NBD)-labeled phospholipids across the plasma membrane of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In the current study, we have demonstrated that ATP hydrolysis is not sufficient for phospholipid flip in the absence of the proton electrochemical gradient across the plasma membrane. This requirement was demonstrated by two independent means. First, collapse of the plasma membrane proton electrochemical gradient by the protonophore, carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP) almost completely blocked NBD-phospholipid flip while only moderately reducing the cytosolic ATP concentration. Second, strains with point mutations in PMA1, which encodes the plasma membrane proton pump that generates the proton electrochemical gradient, are defective in NBD-PC flip, whereas their cytosolic ATP content is actually increased. These results establish that the proton electrochemical gradient is required for NBD-phospholipid flip across the plasma membrane of yeast and raise the question whether it contributes an additional required driving force or whether it functions as a regulatory signal.     

Determination of delta psi, delta pH and the proton electrochemical gradient in isolated cholinergic synaptic vesicles

The electrical potential (Δψ) of intact cholinergic synaptic vesicles was measured in the presence and absence of the proton translocator carbonyl cyanide p-trifluoromethoxy-phenylhydrazone (FCCP), and the results were utilized to calculate the vesicular proton chemical gradient (ΔpH) and proton electrochemical potential $\text{(Δ}\text{μ}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>H</mtext>}}\text{+)}$. At external pH = 7.4 the vesicles maintain a proton electrochemical gradient of $\text{?+20}\text{mV}$ (positive inside) which is composed of $\text{Δψ??80}\text{mV}$ (negative inside) and $\text{Δ}\text{pH}\text{?1.6}$ (acidic inside). The proton chemical gradient (ΔpH) increases as a function of pH_out whereas the vesicular electrical potential (Δψ) is only slightly affected by the external pH. Consequently, $\text{Δ}\text{μ}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>H</mtext>}}\text{+}$ is larger at basic external pH values ($\text{?+40}\text{mV}$ at pH_out = 9.0) and smaller at acidic external pH values ($\text{Δ}\text{μ}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>H</mtext>}}\text{+?0}$ at (pH_out = 5.6). The possible physiological role of the electrochemical potentials in maintaining high concentrations of acetylcholine within the cholinergic synaptic vesicle is discussed.     

Genetic admixture increases phenotypic diversity in the nectar yeast Metschnikowia reukaufii

Understanding the relationship between population genetic structure and phenotypic diversity is a fundamental question in evolutionary biology. Yeasts display wide genetic diversity and exhibit remarkably diverse heterotrophic metabolisms that allow a variety of niche occupations. However, little is known about how intra-species genetic population structure is related to trait diversity in yeasts. In this study, we investigated the link between intra-species genetic population structure and trait diversity in the floral nectar-inhabiting yeast Metschnikowia reukaufii (Ascomycota). A total of 73 strains obtained from 11 plant species were genotyped by whole genome sequencing, followed by single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) calling, and phenotyped using a robot-assisted high-throughput screening platform. Analysis of the population structure estimated the number of ancestral populations to be K = 5, each one including strains from different locations and host plants, and 26% of strains showed significant genetic admixture (<80% ancestry from a single population). These mosaic strains were scattered throughout a maximum-likelihood phylogenetic tree built from SNP data, and differed widely in their ancestry. While yeast strains varied in nutrient assimilation and tolerance to inhibitors, trait differentiation among genetic lineages was in most cases negligible. Notably, outlier phenotypes largely corresponded to the mosaic strains, and removal of these from the data had a dramatic effect on the intra-species phylogenetic signal of studied phenotypes and patterns of trait evolution. Overall, these results suggest that genetic mosaicism broadens the phenotypic landscape explored by M. reukaufii and may allow adaptation to highly variable nectar environments.     

Patterns of electrochemical proton gradient formation by membrane vesicles from an obligately acidophilic bacterium

Isolated membrane vesicles from the obligately acidophilic bacterium Bacillus acidocaldarius generated an electrochemical gradient of protons (delta mu- H+) upon energization with ascorbate-phenazine methosulfate at pH 6.0 or 3.0. At pH 6.0, there was little or no transmembrane pH gradient (delta pH), but a transmembrane electrical potential (delta psi) of ca. -77 mV, positive out, was observed. At pH 3.0, a delta pH equivalent to - 100 mV, acid out, and a delta psi of -73 mV, positive out, were observed upon energization. The total magnitude of the delta mu- H+ was higher than that of whole cells at acid pH, but the very large delta pHs and the reversed delta psi s, i.e., inside positive, that are typical of acidophile cells were not observed in the vesicles. The vesicles exhibited energy-dependent accumulation of alpha-aminoisobutyric acid that was inhibited by both nigericin and valinomycin (plus K+) at pH 3.0 but was inhibited little by nigericin at pH 6.0.     

D-lactate oxidation and generation of the proton electrochemical gradient in membrane vesicles from Escherichia coli GR19N and in proteoliposomes reconstituted with purified D-lactate dehydrogenase and cytochrome o oxidase

The respiratory chain in the cytochrome d deficient mutant Escherichia coli GR19N is a relatively simple, linear system consisting of primary dehydrogenases, ubiquinone 8, cytochrome b-556, and cytochrome o oxidase. By use of right-side-out and inside-out membrane vesicles from this strain, various oxidase activities and the generation of the H+ electrochemical gradient were studied. Oxidation of ubiquinol 1 or N,N,-N',N'-tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine, which donate electrons directly to the terminal oxidase, generates a H+ electrochemical gradient comparable to that observed during D-lactate oxidation. In contrast, D-lactate/ubiquinone 1 or D-lactate/ferricyanide oxidoreductase activity does not appear to generate a membrane potential, suggesting that electron flow from D-lactate dehydrogenase to ubiquinone is not electrogenic. Moreover, proteoliposomes reconstituted with purified D-lactate dehydrogenase, ubiquinone 8, and purified cytochrome o catalyze D-lactate and ubiquinol 1 oxidation and generate a H+ electrochemical gradient similar to that observed in membrane vesicles. Strikingly, in inside-out vesicles, NADH oxidation generates a H+ electrochemical gradient that is very significantly greater than that produced by either D-lactate or ubiquinol 1; furthermore, NADH/ubiquinone 1 and NADH/ferricyanide oxidoreductase activities are electrogenic. It is suggested that the only component between D-lactate dehydrogenase or ubiquinol and oxygen in GR19N membranes that is directly involved in the generation of the H+ electrochemical gradient is cytochrome o, which functions as a "half-loop" (i.e., the oxidase catalyzes the scalar release of 2 H+ from ubiquinol on the outer surface of the membrane.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Electron transport and electrochemical proton gradient in membrane vesicles of Clostridium thermoautotrophicum.

Membrane vesicles of Clostridium thermoautotrophicum containing carbon monoxide dehydrogenase generated a proton motive force when exposed to CO. This proton motive force, with a value of -140 mV, consisted of only an electrical potential at pH 7.5 and above and of an electrical potential and pH gradient at a lower pH. The proton motive force drove the uptake of L-alanine by the vesicles to a concentration of 300 times that of the medium.     

Relationships between the Na+-H+ antiport activity and the components of the electrochemical proton gradient in Escherichia coli membrane vesicles

The kinetics of Na+ efflux from Escherichia coli RA 11 membrane vesicles taking place along a favorable Na+ concentration gradient are strongly dependent on the generation of an electrochemical proton gradient. An energy-dependent acceleration of the Na+ efflux rate is observed at all external pHs between 5.5 and 7.5 and is prevented by uncoupling agents. The contributions of the electrical potential (delta psi) and chemical potential (delta pH) of H+ to the mechanism of Na+ efflux acceleration have been studied by determining the effects of (a) selective dissipation of delta psi and delta pH in respiring membrane vesicles with valinomycin or nigericin and (b) imposition of outwardly directed K+ diffusion gradients (imposed delta psi, interior negative) or acetate diffusion gradients (imposed delta pH, interior alkaline). The data indicate that, at pH 6.6 and 7.5, delta pH and delta psi individually and concurrently accelerate the downhill Na+ efflux rate. At pH 5.5, the Na+ efflux rate is enhanced by delta pH only when the imposed delta pH exceeds a threshold delta pH value; moreover, an imposed delta psi which per se does not enhance the Na+ efflux rate does contribute to the acceleration of Na+ efflux when imposed simultaneously with a delta pH higher than the threshold delta pH value. The results strongly suggest that the Na+-H+ antiport mechanism catalyzes the downhill Na+ efflux.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Ratiometric fluorescence measurements of membrane potential generated by yeast plasma membrane H-ATPase reconstituted into vesicles

Potential-sensitive fluorescent probes oxonol V and oxonol VI were employed for monitoring membrane potential (Δψ) generated by the Schizosaccharomyces pombe plasma membrane H⁺-ATPase reconstituted into vesicles. Oxonol VI was used for quantitative measurements of the Δψ because its response to membrane potential changes can be easily calibrated, which is not possible with oxonol V. However, oxonol V has a superior sensitivity to Δψ at very low concentration of reconstituted vesicles, and thus it is useful for testing quality of the reconstitution. Oxonol VI was found to be a good emission-ratiometric probe. We have shown that the reconstituted H⁺-ATPase generates Δψ of about 160 mV on the vesicle membrane. The generated Δψ was stable at least over tens of minutes. An influence of the H⁺ membrane permeability on the Δψ buildup was demonstrated by manipulating the H⁺ permeability with the protonophore CCCP. Ratiometric measurements with oxonol VI thus offer a promising tool for studying processes accompanying the yeast plasma membrane H⁺-ATPase-mediated Δψ buildup.     

Adenosine triphosphate synthesis by electrochemical proton gradient in vesicles reconstituted from purified adenosine triphosphatase and phospholipids of thermophilic bacterium.

Vesicles were reconstituted from a purified dicyclohexyl-carbodiimide-sensitive ATPase complex (TF0-F1) and phospholipids of a thermophilic bacterium PS3. These vesicles synthesized ATP from ADP and Pi with energy from an electrochemical proton gradient (delta-micronH+) formed by a pH gradient and an electrical potential across their membranes. Maximal ATP synthesis was achieved by incubating the vesicles in malonate at pH 5.5 with valinomycin, and then rapidly transferring them to a solution of pH 8.4 and 150 mM K+. Under these conditons ATP synthesis continued at a decreasing rate for 30 s at 40 degrees. Appreciable formation of ATP (40 to 150 nmol/mg of TF0-F1) occurred at an initial delta-micronH+ above 205 mV and moderate formation at an initial value above 180 mV. ATP hydrolysis by the vesicles produced a delta-micronH+, and the additions of 32Pi and hexokinase to them resulted in 32Pi esterification. Analysis of the time courses of 32Pi esterification and decays of the pH difference and membrane potential, followed using 9-aminoacridine and 8-anilinonaphthalene-1-sulfonate, respectively, as probes, showed a relationship between delta-micronH+ and the rate of ATP synthesis. These results demonstrate that purified TF0-F1 is itself a reversible H+-translocating ATPase of oxidative phosphorylation.     

Rat liver plasma membrane Ca2+- or Mg2+-activated ATPase. Evidence for proton movement in reconstituted vesicles

The Ca2+- or Mg2+-activated ATPase from rat liver plasma membrane was partly purified by treatments with sodium cholate and lysophosphatidylcholine, and by isopycnic centrifugation on sucrose gradients. The ATPase activity had high sensitivity to detergents, poor nucleotide specificity and broad tolerance for divalent cations. It was insensitive to mitochondrial ATPase inhibitors such as oligomycin and to transport ATPase inhibitors such as vanadate and ouabain. Using the cholate dialysis procedure, the partly purified enzyme was incorporated into asolectin vesicles. Upon addition of Mg2+-ATP, fluorescence quenching of 9-amino-6-chloro-2-methoxyacridine (ACMA) was observed. The quenching was abolished by a protonophore, carbonyl cyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone (FCCP). Asolectin vesicles or purified ATPase alone failed to promote quenching. These data suggest that the Ca2+- or Mg2+-activated ATPase from rat liver plasma membrane is able of H+-translocation coupled to ATP hydrolysis.     

The relationship between the electrochemical proton gradient and active transport in Escherichia coli membrane vesicles.

In the previous paper [ramos, S., and Kaback, H.R. (1977), Biochemistry 16 (preceding paper in this issue)], it was demonstrated that Escherichia coli membrane vesicles generate a large electrochemical proton gradient (delta-muH+) under appropriate conditions, and some of the properties of delta-muH+ and its component forces [i.e., the membrane potential (delta psi) and the chemical gradient of protons (deltapH)] were described. In this paper, the relationship between delta-muH+, delta psi, and deltapH and the active transport of specific solutes is examined. Addition of lactose or glucose 6-phosphate to membrane vesicles containing the appropriate transport systems results in partial collapse of deltapH, providing direct evidence for the suggestion that respiratory energy can drive active transport via the pH gradient across the membrane. Titration studies with valinomycin and nigericin lead to the conclusion that, at pH 5.5, there are two general classes of transport systems: those that are driven primarily by delta-muH+ (lactose, proline, serine, glycine, tyrosine, glutamate, leucine, lysine, cysteine, and succinate) and those that are driven primarily by deltapH (glucose 6-phosphate, D-lactate, glucuronate, and gluconate). Importantly, however, it is also demonstrated that at pH 7.5, all of these transport systems are driven by delta psi which comprises the only component of delta-muH+ at this external pH. In addition, the effect of external pH on the steady-state levels of accumulation of different solutes is examined, and it is shown that none of the pH profiles correspond to those observed for delta-muH+, delta psi, or deltapH. Moreover, at external pH values above 6.0-6.5, delta-muH+ is insufficient to account for the concentration gradients established for each substrate unless the stoichiometry between protons and accumulated solutes is greater than unity. The results confirm many facets of the chemiosmotic hypothesis, but they also extend the concept in certain important respects and allow explanations for some earlier observations which seemed to preclude the involvement of chemiosmotic phenomena in active transport.     

The mechanism of transmembrane delta muH+ generation in mitochondria by cytochrome c oxidase.

In rat liver mitochondria treated with rotenone, N-ethylmaleimide or oligomycin the expected alkalinization caused by proton consumption for aerobic oxidation of ferrocyanide was delayed with respect to ferrocyanide oxidation, unless carbonyl cyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone was present. 2. When valinomycin or valinomycin plus antimycin were also present, ferricyanide, produced by oxidation of ferrocyanide, was re-reduced by hydrogenated endogenous reductants. Under these circumstances the expected net proton consumption caused by ferrocyanide oxidation was preceded by transient acidification. It is shown that re-reduction of formed ferricyanide and proton release derive from rotenone- and antimycin-resistant oxidation of endogenous reductants through the proton-translocating segments of the respiratory chain on the substrate side of cytochrome c. The number of protons released per electron flowing to ferricyanide varied, depending on the experimental conditions, from 3.6 to 1.5. 3. The antimycin-insensitive re-reduction of ferricyanide and proton release from mitochondria were strongly depressed by 2-n-heptyl-4-hydroxyquinoline N-oxide. This shows that the ferricyanide formed accepts electrons passing through the protonmotive segments of the respiratory chain at the level of cytochrome c and/or redox components of the cytochrome b-c1 complex situated on the oxygen side of the antimycin-inhibition site. Dibromothymoquinone depressed and duroquinol enhanced, in the presence of antimycin, the proton-release process induced by ferrocyanide respiration. Both quinones enhanced the rate of scalar proton production associated with ferrocyanide respiration, but lowered the number of protons released per electron flowing to the ferricyanide formed. 4. Net proton consumption caused by aerobic oxidation of exogenous ferrocytochrome c by antimycin-supplemented bovine heart mitochondria was preceded by scalar proton release, which was included in the stoicheiometry of 1 proton consumed per mol of ferrocytochrome c oxidized. This scalar proton production was associated with transition of cytochrome c from the reduced to the oxidized form and not to electron flow along cytochrome c oxidase. 5. It is concluded that cytochrome c oxidase only mediates vectorial electron flow from cytochrome c at the outer side to protons that enter the oxidase from the matrix side of the membrane. In addition to this consumption of protons the oxidase does not mediate vectorial proton translocation.     

Ratiometric fluorescence measurements of membrane potential generated by yeast plasma membrane H(+)-ATPase reconstituted into vesicles

Potential-sensitive fluorescent probes oxonol V and oxonol VI were employed for monitoring membrane potential (Delta(psi)) generated by the Schizosaccharomyces pombe plasma membrane H(+)-ATPase reconstituted into vesicles. Oxonol VI was used for quantitative measurements of the Delta(psi) because its response to membrane potential changes can be easily calibrated, which is not possible with oxonol V. However, oxonol V has a superior sensitivity to Delta(psi) at very low concentration of reconstituted vesicles, and thus it is useful for testing quality of the reconstitution. Oxonol VI was found to be a good emission-ratiometric probe. We have shown that the reconstituted H(+)-ATPase generates Delta(psi) of about 160 mV on the vesicle membrane. The generated Delta(psi) was stable at least over tens of minutes. An influence of the H(+) membrane permeability on the Delta(psi) buildup was demonstrated by manipulating the H(+) permeability with the protonophore CCCP. Ratiometric measurements with oxonol VI thus offer a promising tool for studying processes accompanying the yeast plasma membrane H(+)-ATPase-mediated Delta(psi) buildup.     

Cd2+-induced damage to yeast plasma membrane and its alleviation by Zn2+: studies on Schizosaccharomyces pombe cells and reconstituted plasma membrane vesicles

In Schizosaccharomyces pombe, Cd²⁺ shares the same uphill uptake system with Zn²⁺. Both heavy metals inhibited growth, respiration, H⁺/glucose uptake, and glucose-induced proton extrusion, Cd²⁺ being a 10–15-fold stronger inhibitor. In contrast, both had a similar effect on the plasma membrane H⁺-ATPase, enhancing its affinity for ATP and reducing the rate of ATP splitting. Cd²⁺ caused protracted strong fluidization of the plasma membrane of energized cells, whereas deenergized cells, phosphatidylcholine liposomes, and plasma membrane fragments, either purified or incorporated into the liposomes, exhibited only a short initial fluidization. Zn²⁺, which caused only a marginal membrane fluidization, suppressed the fluidizing action of Cd²⁺. The fluidizing effect of both heavy metals on liposomes was reduced by the presence of plasma membrane fragments in the liposome membrane. At 50 μM, Cd²⁺ brought about loss K⁺ (18 K⁺/1 Cd²⁺) from energized, but not from deenergized cells since Cd²⁺ must first accumulate in the cells before causing a detectable effect. A simple membrane disruption by external Cd²⁺ is, therefore, unlikely to be the main mechanism of cadmium-induced potassium loss in intact cells. Zn²⁺ had virtually no effect below 1 mM concentration, and it again weakened the K⁺-releasing effect of Cd²⁺. Cd²⁺ caused a strong loss of K⁺ also from K⁺-containing liposomes, probably because of a direct interaction with liposome phospholipids. Incorporation of plasma membrane fragments into the liposomes reduced the K⁺ loss sixfold. Received: 13 November 1995 / Accepted: 31 January 1996     

Ca2+ transport against its electrochemical gradient in cytochrome oxidase vesicles reconstituted with mitochondrial hydrophobic proteins

Cytochrome oxidase vesicles have recently been shown to accumulate Ca²⁺ in an energy-dependent manner. Energization of these vesicles with internally trapped cytochrome c and externally added ascorbate and phenazine methylsulfate generated an internally positive membrane potential and prevented Ca²⁺ influx (R. N. Rosier and T. E. Gunter, 1980, FEBS Lett.109, 99–103). In contradistinction, when cytochrome oxidase vesicles were reconstituted with complex V, a mitochondrial protein fraction containing the uncoupler binding site (Y. Hatefi, D. L. Stiggall, Y. Galante and W. G. Hanstein, 1974, Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun.61, 313–321), both Ca²⁺ uptake and generation of an internally positive membrane potential were observed. The uptake was specifically dependent on energization of electron transport. Control experiments verified that the energization conditions used produced appropriately oriented membrane potentials. Other partially purified hydrophobic mitochondrial protein complexes were found to be less effective than complex V. The reconstituted system showed cation selectivity since Ca²⁺, Mn²⁺, and Rb⁺ were transported, while Na⁺ was not. Low levels of uncoupler, which did not affect oxidation rates, were found to partially inhibit Ca²⁺ uptake regardless of the membrane potential polarity. Uncoupling levels of uncoupler markedly inhibited Ca²⁺ uptake in internally negative cytochrome oxidase vesicles; however, inhibition in internally positive cytochrome oxidase vesicles was less relative to that at lower levels of uncoupler. The uncoupling combination of nigericin, valinomycin, and K⁺ was inhibitory to uptake regardless of membrane potential polarity. A reconstituted system of oxidative phosphorylation, which contains a hydrophobic protein fraction, energized with cytochrome oxidase similarly accumulated Ca²⁺ despite formation of an internally positive membrane potential. The results suggest that cytochrome oxidase, when coupled to appropriate hydrophobic mitochondrial proteins, can act as an electrogenic Ca²⁺ pump deriving its energy directly from electron transport.     

Counterflow of L-glutamate in plasma membrane vesicles and reconstituted preparations from rat brain

Membrane vesicles from rat brain exhibit sodium-dependent uptake of L-[3H]glutamate in the absence of any transmembrane ion gradients. The substrate specificity of the process is identical with (Na+ + K+)-coupled L-glutamate accumulation. Although these vesicles are prepared after osmotic shock and are washed repeatedly, they contain about 1.5 nmol/mg of protein endogenous L-glutamate, apparently located inside the vesicles. The affinity of the process (Km approximately 1 microM) is similar to that of (Na+ + K+)-dependent accumulation by the L-glutamate transporter. Membrane vesicles have been disrupted by the detergent cholate, and the solubilized proteins have been subsequently reconstituted into liposomes. The reconstituted proteoliposomes also exhibit the above uptake--with the same characteristics--provided they contain entrapped cold L-glutamate. Counterflow is optimal when sodium is present on both sides of the membrane, but partial activity is still observed when sodium is present either on the inside or on the outside. Increasing the L-glutamate concentration above the Km results in counterflow completely independent of cis sodium. The initial rate of counterflow is 100-200-fold lower than that of net trans potassium dependent flux. The rate of net flux in the presence of trans sodium or lithium is about 10-fold lower than when choline or Tris are used instead. However, the rate of counterflow (no internal potassium present) was not stimulated by replacing internal sodium or lithium by internal choline. Therefore, optimal functioning of the transporter requires internal potassium while internal sodium and lithium are inhibitory.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)