Cation Transport in Escherichia coli

Abstract

The present study is concerned with the measurement of the unidirectional K flux in E. coli. Methods are described by means of which a fairly dense suspension of cells may be maintained in a well defined steady-state with respect to the intracellular K concentration and the pH of the medium. The kinetics of K42 exchange under these conditions are consistent with the presence of a single intracellular K compartment with a unidirectional K flux of 1 pmol/(cm2 sec.). This rate is independent of the extracellular K concentration over the range studied. The simultaneous rate of H secretion averages 16 pmols/(cm2 sec.) indicating that in the steady-state the efflux of metabolically produced H is not linked mole for mole to K movement.