Effects of colicins K and E1 on the glucose phosphotransferase system

1. Glycerol-grown cells of Escherichia coli and its mutant uncA, treated with colicin E1 or K, exhibited a several-fold higher level of alpha-methylglucoside uptake than untreated cells. This stimulation was independent of the carbon source present during the uptake test. In a mutant strain that has elevated levels of alpha-methylglucoside accumulation the addition of colicin E1 or carbonylcyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP) did not further enhance the uptake. 2. Colicins K and E1 decreased the apparent Km for alpha-methylglucoside uptake significantly and increased the V about twofold. The exit of the glucoside was severely inhibited by the colicins. 3. In the presence of colicins, alpha-methylglucoside is still accumulated via the phosphoenolpyruvate-phosphotransferase system since no accumulation or phosphorylation occurs in an enzyme I mutant. The colicins increased the relative intracellular concentration of phosphorylated alpha-methylglucoside, possibly by inhibiting the dephosphorylation reaction, and caused an excretion of this compound. 4. The results are interpreted as indicating that energization of the membrane has an inhibitory effect on the phosphotransferase system. Possible modes of action are discussed.