Biomaterial Database

Role of proton motive force in genetic transformation of Bacillus subtilis. 1982

M H van Nieuwenhoven, and K J Hellingwerf, and G Venema, and W N Konings

This study explored the role of the proton motive force in the processes of DNA binding and DNA transport of genetic transformation of Bacillus subtilis 168 strain 8G-5 (trpC2). Transformation was severely inhibited by the ionophores valinomycin, nigericin, and 3,5-di-tert-4-hydroxybenzylidenemalononitrite (SF-6847) and by tetraphenylphosphonium. The ionophores valinomycin and nigericin also severely inhibited binding of transforming DNA to the cell envelope, whereas SF-6847 and carbonylcyanide-p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone hardly affected binding. The proton motive force, therefore, does not contribute to the process of DNA binding, and valinomycin and nigericin interact directly with the DNA binding sites at the cell envelope. The effects of ionophores, weak acids, and tetraphenylphosphonium on the components of the proton motive force and on the entry of transforming DNA after binding to the cell envelope was investigated. DNA entry, as measured by the amount of DNase I-resistant cell-associated [3H]DNA and by the formation of DNA breakdown products, was severely inhibited under conditions of a small proton motive force and also under conditions of a small delta pH and a high electrical potential. These results suggest that the proton motive force and especially the delta pH component functions as a driving force for DNA uptake in transformation.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008564	Membrane Potentials	The voltage differences across a membrane. For cellular membranes they are computed by subtracting the voltage measured outside the membrane from the voltage measured inside the membrane. They result from differences of inside versus outside concentration of potassium, sodium, chloride, and other ions across cells' or ORGANELLES membranes. For excitable cells, the resting membrane potentials range between -30 and -100 millivolts. Physical, chemical, or electrical stimuli can make a membrane potential more negative (hyperpolarization), or less negative (depolarization).	Resting Potentials,Transmembrane Potentials,Delta Psi,Resting Membrane Potential,Transmembrane Electrical Potential Difference,Transmembrane Potential Difference,Difference, Transmembrane Potential,Differences, Transmembrane Potential,Membrane Potential,Membrane Potential, Resting,Membrane Potentials, Resting,Potential Difference, Transmembrane,Potential Differences, Transmembrane,Potential, Membrane,Potential, Resting,Potential, Transmembrane,Potentials, Membrane,Potentials, Resting,Potentials, Transmembrane,Resting Membrane Potentials,Resting Potential,Transmembrane Potential,Transmembrane Potential Differences
D009550	Nigericin	A polyether antibiotic which affects ion transport and ATPase activity in mitochondria. It is produced by Streptomyces hygroscopicus. (From Merck Index, 11th ed)	Epinigericin,Pandavir
D009570	Nitriles	Organic compounds containing the -CN radical. The concept is distinguished from CYANIDES, which denotes inorganic salts of HYDROGEN CYANIDE.	Nitrile
D009861	Onium Compounds	Ions with the suffix -onium, indicating cations with coordination number 4 of the type RxA+ which are analogous to QUATERNARY AMMONIUM COMPOUNDS (H4N+). Ions include phosphonium R4P+, oxonium R3O+, sulfonium R3S+, chloronium R2Cl+	Compounds, Onium
D009943	Organophosphorus Compounds	Organic compounds that contain phosphorus as an integral part of the molecule. Included under this heading is broad array of synthetic compounds that are used as PESTICIDES and DRUGS.	Organophosphorus Compound,Organopyrophosphorus Compound,Organopyrophosphorus Compounds,Compound, Organophosphorus,Compound, Organopyrophosphorus,Compounds, Organophosphorus,Compounds, Organopyrophosphorus
D011522	Protons	Stable elementary particles having the smallest known positive charge, found in the nuclei of all elements. The proton mass is less than that of a neutron. A proton is the nucleus of the light hydrogen atom, i.e., the hydrogen ion.	Hydrogen Ions,Hydrogen Ion,Ion, Hydrogen,Ions, Hydrogen,Proton
D002259	Carbonyl Cyanide p-Trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone	A proton ionophore that is commonly used as an uncoupling agent in biochemical studies.	Carbonyl Cyanide para-Trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone,FCCP,(4-(Trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)hydrazonopropanedinitrile,Carbonyl Cyanide p Trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone,Carbonyl Cyanide para Trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone,Cyanide p-Trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone, Carbonyl,Cyanide para-Trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone, Carbonyl,p-Trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone, Carbonyl Cyanide,para-Trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone, Carbonyl Cyanide
D002462	Cell Membrane	The lipid- and protein-containing, selectively permeable membrane that surrounds the cytoplasm in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.	Plasma Membrane,Cytoplasmic Membrane,Cell Membranes,Cytoplasmic Membranes,Membrane, Cell,Membrane, Cytoplasmic,Membrane, Plasma,Membranes, Cell,Membranes, Cytoplasmic,Membranes, Plasma,Plasma Membranes
D004269	DNA, Bacterial	Deoxyribonucleic acid that makes up the genetic material of bacteria.	Bacterial DNA
D006863	Hydrogen-Ion Concentration	The normality of a solution with respect to HYDROGEN ions; H+. It is related to acidity measurements in most cases by pH	pH,Concentration, Hydrogen-Ion,Concentrations, Hydrogen-Ion,Hydrogen Ion Concentration,Hydrogen-Ion Concentrations