Abstract
The activity of Na+/H+ exchanger to remove toxic Na+ is important for growth of organisms under high salinity. In this study, the halotolerant cyanobacterium Aphanothece halophytica was shown to possess Na+/H+ exchange activity since exogenously added Na+ could dissipate a pre-formed pH gradient, and decrease extracellular pH. Kinetic analysis yielded apparent Km (Na+) and Vmax of 20.7 ± 3.1 mM and 3,333 ± 370 nmol H+ min−1 mg−1, respectively. For cells grown under salt-stress condition, the apparent Km (Na+) and Vmax was 18.3 ± 3.5 mM and 3,703 ± 350 nmol H+ min−1 mg−1, respectively. Three cations with decreasing efficiency namely Li+, Ca2+, and K+ were also able to dissipate pH gradient. Only marginal exchange activity was observed for Mg2+. The exchange activity was strongly inhibited by Na+-gradient dissipators, monensin, and sodium ionophore as well as by CCCP, a protonophore. A. halophytica showed high Na+/H+ exchange activity at neutral and alkaline pH up to pH 10. Cells grown at pH 7.6 under high salinity exhibited higher Na+/H+ exchange activity than those grown under low salinity during 15 days of growth suggesting a role of Na+/H+ exchanger for salt tolerance in A. halophytica. Cells grown at alkaline pH of 9.0 also exhibited a progressive increase of Na+/H+ exchange activity during 15 days of growth.
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