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A cytochrome that can pump sodium ion.

B J Efiok¹, D A Webster

¹Department of Biology, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago 60616.

Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications

|November 30, 1990

Summary

Vitreoscilla bacteria use a respiratory-driven process to generate a sodium ion gradient. Research indicates that cytochrome o acts as a specific sodium ion pump, crucial for this energy generation.

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Area of Science:

Microbiology
Biochemistry
Cellular Respiration

Background:

Vitreoscilla bacteria are known to generate a membrane potential (delta psi) driven by respiration.
The precise mechanism and specific proteins involved in this sodium ion (Na+) gradient formation are under investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

To identify the specific respiratory electron transport protein responsible for electrogenic Na+ pumping in Vitreoscilla.
To determine if NADH dehydrogenase or cytochrome o terminal oxidase functions as the Na+ pump.

Main Methods:

Assessed NADH oxidase and NADH:Quinone oxidoreductase activities in bacterial membranes, examining the effects of Na+ and other ions.
Investigated the quinol oxidase activity of purified cytochrome o reconstituted into proteoliposomes.
Measured Na+ transport (extrusion and uptake) in proteoliposomes energized by different substrates and inhibited by cyanide (CN-).

Main Results:

Cytochrome o's quinol oxidase activity was specifically enhanced by Na+, unlike NADH:Quinone oxidoreductase which was affected by Na+ and Li+.
Reconstituted cytochrome o catalyzed net Na+ extrusion in right-side-out proteoliposomes and Na+ uptake in inside-out proteoliposomes.
Both Na+-pumping activities of cytochrome o were inhibited by cyanide.

Conclusions:

The findings strongly support cytochrome o as the redox-driven Na+ pump in Vitreoscilla.
Cytochrome o plays a critical role in generating the respiratory-driven Na+ gradient essential for bacterial energy metabolism.

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