[Bacterial cell membrane ATPase in assessing heavy metal toxicity]

Sensitivity of membrane ATPase to heavy metals was studied in bacterial stains Bacillus cereus ATCC 14579, Bacillus cereus B4368, and Alcaligenes eutrophus CH34 was studied. The inhibition effects of metals on membrane ATPase ranged in the same order (Au > Cu > Zn > Co > Mn) as their effects on the growth of cultures. It is suggested that membrane ATPase is one of the targets for the action of heavy metal ions within the microbial cell and, therefore, its activity may serve as an indicator of their toxicity.