Quantitative analysis of proton-linked transport system. beta-Galactoside exit in Escherichia coli

The exit of lactose and thiomethyl-beta-D-galactoside from Escherichia coli ML308-225 has been studied to determine the role of carrier-dependent (zero-trans efflux) and carrier-independent (leak) processes. On the basis of its sensitivity to p-chloromercuribenzene sulphonate the exit of lactose was found to be almost wholly mediated by the carrier. Consistent with this conclusion was the finding that the rate of exit of this sugar was dependent on the external pH, being considerably slower at acid pH. On the other hand exit of thiomethyl-beta-D-galactoside was found to be composed of both carrier-dependent and carrier-independent processes. Both processes exhibited first-order kinetics with the rate constants for zero-trans efflux and leak being 0.137 min-1 and 0.079 min-1, respectively. The relevance of these findings for out earlier proposal for the methods of attenuation of solute accumulation is discussed [Booth, Mitchell & Hamilton (1979) Biochem. J. 182, 687--696].