Requirement of a transmembrane pH gradient for the entry of diphtheria toxin into cells at low pH

The effects of acidification of the cytosol and of electrical depolarization on the entry of diphtheria toxin were studied. Entry of the toxin from the cell surface was induced by low pH, and the presence of the toxin in the cytosol was monitored as toxin-induced inhibition of protein synthesis. To reduce the membrane potential the cells were incubated in a buffer containing a high concentration of potassium. The cytosol was acidified either by incubating the cells with acetic acid, by incubating them with ammonium chloride which was subsequently removed in the presence of amiloride to prevent pH regulation by the Na+/H+ exchanger, or by incubating the cells in isotonic KCl in the presence of nigericin and valinomycin. The results showed that when the cytosol was acidified by either method toxin entry was inhibited, while a reduction in the membrane potential did not strongly interfere with the entry. A pH gradient across the membrane of at least 1 pH unit was required for entry. Possibly this gradient acts as a driving force for diphtheria toxin entry.