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Respiration-driven Na+ pump of the marine Vibrio is encoded by chromosomal DNA

T Nakamura1, S Hayashi, R Yamanaka

  • 1Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Japan.

Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin
|August 1, 1993
PubMed

Insights

Marine Vibrio bacteria possess a respiration-driven sodium (Na+) pump, regardless of plasmid presence. This indicates the genes for the Na+ pump are located on the bacteria's chromosomal DNA.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Marine Vibrio species are known for their diverse metabolic capabilities.
  • Plasmids can confer unique traits to bacteria, but chromosomal genes are fundamental.
  • The sodium (Na+) pump plays a crucial role in cellular energy and transport.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the genetic origin of the respiration-driven Na+ pump in Vibrio alginolyticus and Vibrio parahaemolyticus.
  • To determine if plasmid DNA or chromosomal DNA encodes the Na+ pump.
  • To understand the fundamental genetic basis of Na+ transport in these marine bacteria.

Main Methods:

  • Curing marine Vibrio strains of plasmids.
  • Phenotypic analysis of plasmid-cured strains for Na+ pump activity.
  • Comparative genomics and genetic analysis of Vibrio strains.

Main Results:

  • A plasmid-cured strain of Vibrio alginolyticus 138-2 maintained its respiration-driven Na+ pump activity.
  • All examined Vibrio strains, irrespective of plasmid status, exhibited the Na+ pump.
  • The presence or absence of plasmids did not affect the Na+ pump's functionality.

Conclusions:

  • The respiration-driven Na+ pump in marine Vibrio species is encoded by chromosomal DNA.
  • Plasmid DNA is not essential for the expression or function of this Na+ pump.
  • This finding clarifies the genetic localization of a key physiological mechanism in Vibrio.

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