Localization of D-lactate dehydrogenase in native and reconstituted Escherichia coli membrane vesicles

In the preceding paper the preparation and characterization of antiserum to purified D-lactate are described. In this paper the effects of the antibody on D-lactate dehydrogenase activity and D-lactate-dependent active transport in native Escherichia coli ML 308-225 membrane vesicles and ML 308-225dld-3 vesicles reconstituted with D-lactate dehydrogenase are described. The results demonstrate that D-lactate dehydrogenase is inaccessible to antibody in native ML 308-225 vesicles, but readily accessible to antibody in reconstituted dld-3 vesicles. The findings indicate that D-lactate dehydrogenase is located on the inner surface of native ML 308-225 vesicles and on the outer surface of reconstituted dld-3 vesicles. The results with the native vesicle preparations also provide further evidence that virtually none of the vesicles is inverted or sufficiently damaged to allow access of antibody to D-lactate dehydrogenase. In addition, experiments are presented which demonstrate that an impermeable electron carrier, reduced 5-N-methylphenazonium-3-sulfonate, drives active transport in native ML 308-225 vesicles as well as its permeable analogue reduced phenazine methosulfate. Thus, reduction of the respiratory chain from either side of the vesicle membrane is able to drive active transport. Ca2+, Mg2+-stimulated ATPase is also inaccessible to antibody in ML 308-225 vesicles unless the preparation is subjected to ultrasonic sound, incubated in Tris buffer at pH 9.0, or homogenized vigorously. Moreover, as opposed to D-lactate dehydrogenase and cytochrome b1, ATPase is readily lost from the membrane during the preparation of vesicles.