Membrane Synthesis in Synchronous Cultures of Bacillus subtilis 168

Abstract

Synthesis of bacterial membranes has been investigated in Bacillus subtilis by examining incorporation of amino acids and glycerol into the protein and lipid of membranes of synchronous cultures. A simple reproducible fractionation scheme divides cellular proteins into three classes (i) truly cytoplasmic, (ii) loosely membrane bound, released by chelating agents, and (iii) tightly membrane bound. These comprise approximately 75, 10, and 15%, respectively, of cellular proteins in this organism. Incorporation of radioactivity into these fractions, using steady-state and pulse labeling has been followed during the cell cycle. Cytoplasmic proteins and the loosely membrane-bound proteins are labeled at an exponential rate throughout the cell cycle. The membrane fraction is labeled discontinuously in the cell cycle, with periods of rapid synthesis over the latter part of the cycle and a period with no net synthesis during the early part of the cycle. Pulse labeling indicates that synthesis of membrane occurs at a linear rate that doubles at a fixed time in each cycle, which coincides with the period of zero net synthesis. Rates of membrane synthesis measured by pulse labeling during the period of rapid membrane synthesis are significantly less than indicated by steady-state labeling. These discrepancies are consistent with the hypothesis that during the cell cycle certain proteins are added to the membrane from the cytoplasm and that during the period of zero net synthesis there is an efflux of proteins from the membrane. Evidence in favor of this has been presented. The activity of succinic dehydrogenase (a representative of class c) varies in a step-wise manner with periods of rapid increase, approximately coincident with bursts of membrane protein synthesis, alternating with periods without any increase in activity. The activities of malate dehydrogenase (class a) and reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide dehydrogenase (class b) increased throughout the cell cycle. Phospholipid synthesis is continuous throughout the cell cycle.