Active transport of oxalate by Pseudomonas oxalaticus OX1

Membrane vesicles isolated from oxalate-grown cells of Pseudomonas oxalaticus accumulated oxalate by an inducible transport system in unmodified form against a concentration gradient. This accumulation was dependent on the presence of a suitable electron donor system such as ascorbate-phenazine-methosulphate. In the presence of this energy source, steady state levels of accumulation of oxalate were 10--20-fold higher than in its absence. The oxalate transport system involved showed a high affinity for oxalate (Km = 11 micron) and was highly specific. Oxalate transport was not affected by the presence of other dicarboxylic acids, such as malate, succinate and fumarate and only partly inhibited by acetate. The energy requirement for oxalate transport is discussed and it is concluded that this requirement is most likely equivalent to 1 mole of ATP per mole of oxalate.