Calcium channel blockers inhibit bacterial chemotaxis
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Updated: Oct 2, 2026

A Microfluidic Device for Quantifying Bacterial Chemotaxis in Stable Concentration Gradients
Published on: April 19, 2010
T Matsushita1, H Hirata, I Kusaka
1Institute of Applied Microbiology, University of Tokyo, Japan.
Abstract:
The effect of several Ca2+ channel blockers, which inhibit the voltage-dependent Ca2+ uptake in Bacillus subtilis, on chemotactic behaviour of the bacterium was studied. Nitrendipine, verapamil, LaCl3 and omega-conotoxin were tested and these blockers inhibited chemotactic behaviour in the bacterium toward L-alanine. Among these blockers, omega-conotoxin was the most effective inhibitor of chemotaxis. EGTA was also as effective as omega-conotoxin. In contrast, these blockers, did not inhibit the motility and the growth of the bacterium. These results suggest that internal Ca2+ plays an important role in the sensory system of bacterial chemotaxis.
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