Open AccessGeneration of a transmembrane gradient of Na + in Methanosarcina barkeri
Author(s) -
MÜLLER Volker,
BLAUT Michael,
GOTTSCHALK Gerhard
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
european journal of biochemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1432-1033
pISSN - 0014-2956
DOI - 10.1111/j.1432-1033.1987.tb10624.x
Subject(s) - methanosarcina barkeri , methanosarcina , transmembrane protein , chemistry , biology , archaea , biochemistry , genetics , bacteria , gene , receptor , methanogenesis
A transmembrane Na + gradient was generated by Methanosarcina barkeri during methanogenesis. The intracellular Na + concentration amounted to approximately one fifth of the extracellular one. A secondary Na + /H + antiport system was shown to be responsible for Na + extrusion. This system could be inhibited by amiloride. In the presence of amiloride the ΔpH across the cytoplasmic membrane increased and a transmembrane Na + gradient could neither be generated nor maintained. The possible role of Na + in the oxidation of methanol to the level of formaldehyde is discussed.