Active uptake of glutamate in vesicles of Halobacterium salinarium

Uptake of glutamate into vesicles of Halobacterium salinarium has been studied during respiration and in the nonrespiring state. Uptake requires respiration or a minimum gradient in NaCl, which is consistent with an Na+ symport mechanism for uptake, as proposed for H. halobium. By replacing KCl or NaCl by choline chloride, it has been possible to distinguish between the effects of gradients and/or absolute concentration effects of NaCl and KCl. Uptake depends on the concentration of KCl on the inside, but not on a gradient in KCl. This points to a role for K+ as a regulator of uptake rate, but not of total uptake. The uptake of glutamate is not inhibited by a number of acids with similar chemical groups. Inhibition is, however, caused by D-glutamate. This indicates a specific transport site for glutamate. Parallel results are obtained for binding of glutamate to a Triton extract of the vesicle membrane. The variation in binding and uptake properties with the salt concentration is discussed with reference to transport kinetics.