Methylamine Distribution Research Articles

Thermal desorption of formamide and methylamine from graphite and amorphous water ice surfaces

AbstractThermal desorption experiments of Formamide (NH2CHO) and methylamine (CH3NH2) were performed in LERMA-Cergy laboratory to determine the values of the desorption energies of formamide and methylamine from analogues of interstellar dust grain surfaces, and to understand their interaction with water ice. We found that more than 95 % of solid NH2CHO diffuses through the np-ASW ice surface towards the graphitic substrate, and is released into the gas phase with a desorption energy distribution Edes = (7460 – 9380) K, measured with the best-fit pre-exponential factor A=1018 s-1. Whereas, the desorption energy distribution of methylamine from the np-ASW ice surface (Edes =3850-8420 K) is measured with the best-fit pre-exponential factor A=1012s-1. A fraction of solid methylamine, of about 0.15 monolayer diffuses through the water ice surface towards the HOPG substrate, and desorbs later, with higher binding energies (5050-8420 K), which exceed that of the crystalline water ice (Edes =4930 K), calculated with the same pre-exponential factor A=1012 s-1.

Thermal desorption of formamide and methylamine from graphite and amorphous water ice surfaces

Context.Formamide (NH2CHO) and methylamine (CH3NH2) are known to be the most abundant amine-containing molecules in many astrophysical environments. The presence of these molecules in the gas phase may result from thermal desorption of interstellar ices.Aims.The aim of this work is to determine the values of the desorption energies of formamide and methylamine from analogues of interstellar dust grain surfaces and to understand their interaction with water ice.Methods.Temperature programmed desorption (TPD) experiments of formamide and methylamine ices were performed in the sub-monolayer and monolayer regimes on graphite (HOPG) and non-porous amorphous solid water (np-ASW) ice surfaces at temperatures 40–240 K. The desorption energy distributions of these two molecules were calculated from TPD measurements using a set of independent Polanyi–Wigner equations.Results.The maximum of the desorption of formamide from both graphite and ASW ice surfaces occurs at 176 K after the desorption of H2O molecules, whereas the desorption profile of methylamine depends strongly on the substrate. Solid methylamine starts to desorb below 100 K from the graphite surface. Its desorption from the water ice surface occurs after 120 K and stops during the water ice sublimation around 150 K. It continues to desorb from the graphite surface at temperatures higher than160 K.Conclusions.More than 95% of solid NH2CHO diffuses through the np-ASW ice surface towards the graphitic substrate and is released into the gas phase with a desorption energy distributionEdes= 7460–9380 K, which is measured with the best-fit pre-exponential factorA= 1018s−1. However, the desorption energy distribution of methylamine from the np-ASW ice surface (Edes= 3850–8420 K) is measured with the best-fit pre-exponential factorA= 1012s−1. A fraction of solid methylamine monolayer of roughly 0.15 diffuses through the water ice surface towards the HOPG substrate. This small amount of methylamine desorbs later with higher binding energies (5050–8420 K) that exceed that of the crystalline water ice (Edes= 4930 K), which is calculated with the same pre-exponential factorA= 1012s−1. The best wetting ability of methylamine compared to H2O molecules makes CH3NH2molecules a refractory species for low coverage. Other binding energies of astrophysical relevant molecules are gathered and compared, but we could not link the chemical functional groups (amino, methyl, hydroxyl, and carbonyl) with the binding energy properties. Implications of these high binding energies are discussed.

Molecular dynamics study of free energy of transfer of alcohol and amine from water phase to the micelle by thermodynamic integration method

Free energy of transfer of methylamine, octylamine, methanol, and octanol from water phase to sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) micelle has been calculated using thermodynamic integration method combined with molecular dynamics calculations. Together with the results for alkanes obtained in our previous study [K. Fujimoto, N. Yoshii, and S. Okazaki, J. Chem. Phys. 133, 074511 (2010)], the effect of polar group on the partition of hydrophilic solutes between water phase and the micelle has been investigated in detail at a molecular level. The calculations showed that the molecules with octyl group are more stable in the SDS micelle than in the water phase due to their hydrophobicity of long alkyl chain. In contrast, methanol and methylamine are stable in the water phase as well as in the micelle because of their high hydrophilicity. The spatial distribution of methylamine, octylamine, methanol, and octanol has also been evaluated as a function of the distance, R, from the center of mass of SDS micelle to the solutes. The distribution shows that the methylamine molecule is adsorbed on the SDS micelle surface, while the methanol molecule is delocalized among the whole system, i.e., in the water phase, on the surface of the micelle, and in the hydrophobic core of the micelle. The octylamine and octanol molecules are solubilized in the SDS micelle with palisade layer structure and are not found in the water phase.

The regulation of ammonia uptake inChara australis

The regulation of ammonia uptake was investigated in internodal cells of the freshwater alga Chara australis. Ammonia uptake was estimated by monitoring (i) its depletion from the bathing solution, (ii) the uptake of radiolabelled methylamine, an analogue of ammonia, and (iii) depletion of ammonia in the unstirred layer with the microelectrode ion-flux estimation technique (MIFE). Distribution of methylamine ( 14 CH 3 NH 3 + ) between the vacuole and cytoplasm was estimated with efflux analysis. When cells were bathed continuously in solutions containing ammonia or methylamine, the uptake rates of both amines decreased over 12 to 48 h despite the continuing existence of a large electrochemical gradient favouring influx of the NH 4 + and CH 3 NH 3 + cations

Evidence that localized energy coupling in thylakoids can continue beyond the energetic threshold onset into steady illumination

Energy transduction from proton gradients into ATP formation in chloroplast thylakoids has been hypothesized to be driven equally efficiently by localized domain delta mu H+ or by a delocalized delta mu H+ (Beard, W. A. and Dilley, R. A. (1988) J. Bioenerg. Biomembr. 20, 129-154). An important question is whether the apparent localized protonmotive force energy coupling mode can be observed only in the dark-to-light transient in the flash excitation protocol commonly used, or whether the localized energy coupling gradient can be maintained under conditions of continuous illumination ATP formation. The assay in the previous work was to use permeable amines, added to thylakoids in the dark, and observe the effect of the amine on the length of the energization lag (number of single-turnover flashes) required to initiate ATP formation in the dark-to-light transition. Amine buffers delayed the ATP onset in high-salt-stored membranes but did not delay the onset with low salt-stored membranes. This work tested whether permeable amines show the different effects in low- or high-salt-stored thylakoids which had attained a steady-state ATP formation rate (in continuous light) for 20-40 s prior to adding the amine. Hydroxyethylmorpholine was the preferred amine for such experiments, a suitable choice inasmuch as it behaves similarly to pyridine in the flash-induced ATP formation onset experiments, but it permeates more rapidly than pyridine and it has a higher pKa, which enhances its buffering effects. With high-salt-stored thylakoids, 0.5 or 1.0 mM hydroxyethylmorpholine added after 40 s of continuous illumination caused a marked, but transient, slowing of the ATP formation rate, but little or no slowing of the rate was observed with low-salt-stored thylakoids (at similar phosphorylation rates for the two thylakoid samples). Those data indicate that in continuous illumination conditions the proton gradient driving ATP formation in thylakoids from the low-salt-stored treatment did not equilibrate with the lumen, but in thylakoids stored in high-salt the delta mu H+ freely equilibrated with the lumen. That suggestion was supported by measurement of the luminal pH under coupling conditions by the [14C]methylamine distribution method using low- or high-salt-stored thylakoids. Further supportive evidence was obtained from measuring the effect of permeable amine buffers on H+ uptake under coupled and basal conditions with both types of thylakoid.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Amination of dimethyl ether on zeolite catalysts 1. Influence of alkali-cation content of T-zeolite on the dimethyl ether conversion and methylamine distribution

T-zeolites with different H+-exchange degrees (0, 44, 68 and 89%) were used for the amination of dimethyl ether in the temperature range of 603 to 703 K. On a Na, K-T-zeolite sample (synthesis form) at low dimethyl ether conversion high selectivities of lower methylated amines were observed and methanol was formed as by-product. By proton exchange the conversion could be enlarged, but the selectivity distribution was shifted to trimethylamine.

Chloroplast thylakoid proteins associated with sequestered proton-buffering domains. Plastocyanin contributes buffering groups to localized proton domains

Thylakoid membrane proteins are organized so as to shield 30-50 nmol H+ (mg Chl)-1 from freely equilibrating with either the external or the lumen aqueous phases. Amine groups provide binding sites for this metastable buffering array and can be quantitatively measured by acetylation using [3H]acetic anhydride. The principle of the assay is that a metastable acidic domain will have relatively less of the reactive neutral form of the amine compared to the amount present after addition of an uncoupler. The extent of the acetylation reaction is strongly influenced by whether the lumen pH comes to complete equilibrium with the external pH prior to adding the acetic anhydride. Determination of the lumen pH by [14C]methylamine distribution after the standard 3 or 5 min equilibration in pH 8.6 buffer indicated that the lumen may have been 0.2 to 0.3 pH more acidic than the external phase. This effect was taken into account by determining the pH dependence, in the pH 8.2-8.6 range, of acetylation of the membrane proteins studied, and the labeling data were conservatively corrected for this possible contribution. Experiments were carried out to identify the thylakoid proteins that contribute such metastable domain amine groups, using the above conservative correction. Surprisingly, plastocyanin contributes buried amine groups, but cytochrome f did not give evidence for such a contribution, if the conservative correction in the labeling was applied. If the correction was too conservative, cytochrome f may contribute amines to the sequestered domains. The new methodology verified earlier results suggesting that three Tris-releasable photosystem II-associated proteins also contribute significantly to the sequestered amine-buffering array.

Estimation of the pH gradient and Donnan potential in de-energized heart mitochondria

The transmembrane pH gradient maintained by nonrespiring, uncoupled heart mitochondria has been estimated using the distribution of methylamine and of 5,5-dimethyl-2, 4-oxazolidinedione (DMO) and compared with the ΔpH reported by the fluorescent probe 2,7-biscarboxyethyl-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF). Under these conditions the protonmotive force approaches zero and the membrane potential (ΔΨ) should equal 59 ΔpH ( P. Mitchell and J. Moyle (1969), Eur. J. Biochem., 7, 471–484). The ΔpH reported by DMO corresponds closely to that estimated by BCECF and is consistent with a Donnan potential of no greater than about −30 mV (interior negative) for nonenergized mitochondria in a sucrose medium. This potential appears to result from the presence of immobile negative charges in the matrix and is eliminated by addition of 10 to 25 m m KCl. Measurements of ΔpH using methylamine and of ΔΨ using the distribution of 42K + in the presence of valinomycin result in an apparent overestimation of these parameters due to binding of these components to negative sites on the membrane. Increasing ionic strength decreases this contribution of surface potential, but significant binding can still be detected in 100 m m KCl. These studies suggest that 42K + (or 86Rb +) is far from an ideal probe for measuring ΔΨ in respiring mitochondria and may significantly overestimate this parameter, especially in sucrose media.

Matrix magnesium and the permeability of heart mitochondria to potassium ion.

Isolated beef heart mitochondria were treated with A23187 in the presence of different concentrations of Mg2+ or EDTA to establish varying levels of total mitochondrial Mg2+. The Mg2+ content was related to the rate of passive swelling of the mitochondria in potassium acetate and other potassium salts in which swelling is presumed to depend on K+ entry via an endogenous K+/H+ antiport. Swelling in these salts does not commence until Mg2+ has been depleted from an initial value of 36 nmol X mg-1 of protein to 8 nmol/mg-1, or less. Below this level, swelling increases linearly with decreasing Mg2+ to a maximum rate at 2 nmol of Mg2+ X mg-1. Rotenone-treated heart mitochondria suspended in 75 mM potassium acetate at pH 7.80 show no delta pH by 5,5-dimethyl-2,4-oxazolidinedione distribution. Distribution of methylamine also shows essentially no delta pH under these conditions when allowance is made for binding of [14C]methylamine by mitochondrial membranes under these conditions. Addition of A23187 results in a small and transient delta pH (delta pH less than 0.14, acid interior) as measured by methylamine distribution. Estimation of the maximum matrix free Mg2+ concentration from the maximum delta pH observed and the external free Mg2+ concentration at equilibrium with A23187 shows that swelling is not initiated until matrix free Mg2+ is decreased to below 150 microM. An independent estimate of free Mg2+ using a null-point procedure gives a lower, but quite similar value (50 microM) for maximum matrix free Mg2+ when swelling commences. The large depletion of total and free Mg2+ that is required to activate swelling in potassium acetate (and presumably K+/H+ antiport activity) does not appear to be compatible with previous indications that free Mg2+ acts as a "carrier brake" to regulate K+ extrusion from the mitochondrion on such an antiport (Garlid, K. D. (1980) J. Biol. Chem. 255, 11273-11279). The removal of a tightly bound component of mitochondrial Mg2+ is closely related to increased K+ permeability and increased passive swelling in potassium salts. This Mg2+ appears to play a role in the maintenance of mitochondrial membrane structure and integrity.

Quantitative use of weak bases for estimation of cellular pH gradients

An improvement in the usual procedure for estimating cellular H+ gradients by distribution of weak bases is described, which involves evaluation of and correction for the permeability of the ionic form of the sensor. In the case of methylamine, unidirectional uptake (influx) of the methylammonium ion is calculated by comparing the total influx of [14C]methylamine with the influx of the highly permeant ion [14C]tetraphenyl-phosphonium ([14C]TPP+) for two experimental situations in which the membrane potential differs. Comparison of the potential-dependent changes in unidirectional influx of methylamine and TPP+ allows calculation of the magnitude of influx for the methylammonium ion. This value can then be used to determine the error in the H+ gradient as estimated from the steady-state distribution of methylamine across the plasma membrane. By using ATP-depleted isolated small intestine cells from the chick as the test system, and imposed H+ gradients of defined magnitude, it can be shown that the observed error matches the calculated error.

Li+ as substrate of the synaptosomal Na+/H+ antiporter.

The influence of replacing external Na+ by choline+ on Li+ uptake into rat cortical synaptosomes was studied. Tetraphenylphosphonium+ and methylamine distribution techniques were used to estimate the plasma membrane potential and the transmembrane H+ gradients, respectively. H+ efflux was monitored by automatic titration in the pH-stat mode. In the Na+- and K+-free medium, synaptosomes concentrated Li+ about 10-fold at 1 mM Li+o in the presence of ouabain. Varying external free Ca2+ between 13 and 300 microM, or addition of MgCl2 had no effect on Li+ uptake. Ouabain-insensitive Li+ transport was separated into two components: 1) non-saturable Li+ influx with a rate constant of 0.6/min; 2) saturable uptake, which obeyed Michaelis-Menten kinetics (Km, 2.0 mM Li+; Vmax, 7.3 mmol of Li+/liter and min). Li+ uptake was competitively inhibited by amiloride (Ki, 3.2 microM; Hill coefficient, 1.0) and external Na+ (Ki, 5.8 mM). External Li+ scarcely accelerated Na+ efflux and phloretin failed to inhibit Li+ uptake, indicating that Li+ uptake was not directly coupled to Na+ gradient. Because of a reversal of the H+ transport by the pHi-regulating system, synaptosomes accumulated acid in the Na+-free medium. Li+ influx was electroneutral, but impaired H+ gradients and was coupled to the simultaneous release of stoichiometric amounts of H+ at less than 3 mM Li+o. Uptake of Li+ was linearly related to H+ gradients imposed onto the plasma membrane by varying external pH. In the steady state, internal Li+ was close to the value predicted for passive distribution. It is concluded that in Na+-free media Li+ uptake at low external Li+ is predominantly driven by transmembrane H+ gradients. The stoichiometric exchange of Li+ for H+ is mediated by the Na+/H+ antiporter. The Li+ distribution ratio is close to the electrochemical activity coefficient since protons are passively distributed across the synaptosomal plasma membrane in the absence of external Na+.

Evaluation of ion gradient-dependent H+ transport systems in isolated enterocytes from the chick.

The experiments reported here evaluate the capability of isolated intestinal epithelial cells to accomplish net H+ transport in response to imposed ion gradients. In most cases, the membrane potential was kept constant by means of a K+ plus valinomycin "voltage clamp" in order to prevent electrical coupling of ion fluxes. Net H+ flux across the cellular membrane was examined at pH 6.0 (the physiological lumenal pH) and at pH 7.4 using methylamine distribution or recordings of changes in media pH. Results from both techniques suggest that the cells have an Na+/H+ exchange system in the plasma membrane that is capable of rapid and sustained changes in intracellular pH in response to an imposed Na+ gradient. The kinetics of the Na+/H+ exchange reaction at pH 6.0 [Kt for Na+ = 57 mM, Vmax = 42 mmol H+/liter 30MG (3-O-methylglucose) space/min] are dramatically different from those at pH 7.4 (Kt for Na+ = 15 mM, Vmax = 1.7 mmol H+/liter 30MG space/min). Experiments involving imposed K+ gradients suggest that these cells have negligible K+/H+ exchange capability. They exhibit limited but measurable H+ conductance. Anion exchange for base equivalents was not detected in experiments performed in media nominally free of bicarbonate.

Anion-Sensitive, H+-Pumping ATPase of Oat Roots

To understand the mechanism and molecular properties of the tonoplast-type H(+)-translocating ATPase, we have studied the effect of Cl(-), NO(3) (-), and 4,4'-diisothiocyano-2,2'-stilbene disulfonic acid (DIDS) on the activity of the electrogenic H(+)-ATPase associated with low-density microsomal vesicles from oat roots (Avena sativa cv Lang). The H(+)-pumping ATPase generates a membrane potential (Deltapsi) and a pH gradient (DeltapH) that make up two interconvertible components of the proton electrochemical gradient (Deltamuh(+)). A permeant anion (e.g. Cl(-)), unlike an impermeant anion (e.g. iminodiacetate), dissipated the membrane potential ([(14)C]thiocyanate distribution) and stimulated formation of a pH gradient ([(14)C]methylamine distribution). However, Cl(-)-stimulated ATPase activity was about 75% caused by a direct stimulation of the ATPase by Cl(-) independent of the proton electrochemical gradient. Unlike the plasma membrane H(+)-ATPase, the Cl(-)-stimulated ATPase was inhibited by NO(3) (-) (a permeant anion) and by DIDS. In the absence of Cl(-), NO(3) (-) decreased membrane potential formation and did not stimulate pH gradient formation. The inhibition by NO(3) (-) of Cl(-)-stimulated pH gradient formation and Cl(-)-stimulated ATPase activity was noncompetitive. In the absence of Cl(-), DIDS inhibited the basal Mg,ATPase activity and membrane potential formation. DIDS also inhibited the Cl(-)-stimulated ATPase activity and pH gradient formation. Direct inhibition of the electrogenic H(+)-ATPase by NO(3) (-) or DIDS suggest that the vanadate-insensitive H(+)-pumping ATPase has anion-sensitive site(s) that regulate the catalytic and vectorial activity. Whether the anion-sensitive H(+)-ATPase has channels that conduct anions is yet to be established.

Amine Transport in Riccia fluitans

The cytoplasmic and vacuolar pH and changes thereof in the presence of ammonia (NH(4)Cl) and methylamine (CH(3)NH(3)Cl) have been measured in rhizoid cells of Riccia fluitans by means of a pH-sensitive microelectrode.On addition of 1 micromolar NH(4)Cl, the cytoplasmic pH of 7.2 to 7.4 drops by 0.1 to 0.2 pH units, but shifts to pH 7.8 in the presence of 50 micromolar NH(4)Cl or 500 micromolar CH(3)NH(3)Cl. The pH of the vacuole increases drastically from 4.5 to 5.7 with these latter concentrations. Since a NH(4) (+)/CH(3)NH(3) (+) uniporter has been demonstrated in the plasmalemma of R. fluitans previously (Felle 1983 Biochim Biophys Acta 602:181-195), the concentration-dependent shifts of cytoplasmic pH are interpreted as results of two processes: first, acidification through deprotonation of the actively transported NH(4) (+); and second, alkalinization through protonation of NH(3) which is taken up to a significant extent from high external concentrations. Furthermore, it is concluded that the determination of intracellular pH by means of methylamine distribution is not a reliable method for eucaryotic systems.

The total and free concentrations of Ca2+ and Mg2+ inside platelet secretory granules. Measurements employing a novel double null point technique.

The inorganic ion contents of platelet alpha-granules were determined by a combination of neutron activation analysis and flame photometry. Total concentrations were estimated using intragranular water spaces measured by isotope dilution. To measure the free concentrations of Ca2+ and Mg2+ we developed a novel double null point titration technique. The method requires independent determinations of transmembrane delta pH and the availability of two divalent cation-H+ exchange ionophores with different Ca2+/Mg2+ selectivity ratios. A23187 and the halogenated analog 4-bromo-A23187 were used for this purpose. Absolute delta pH was measured by methylamine distribution, while relative pH changes induced by the ionophores were monitored with 9-aminoacridine. The free concentrations of Ca2+ and Mg2+ were found to be 12 and 326 microM, respectively. These values are markedly lower than the calculated total concentrations of these cations, i.e. 32 mM for Ca2+ and 172 mM for Mg2+.

The electrochemical H+ gradient of platelet secretory alpha-granules. Contribution of a H+ pump and a Donnan potential.

Experiments were performed to determine the internal pH and membrane potential of platelet alpha-granules. Fluorescence microscopy showed accumulation of weak bases, indicative of an acidic interior, inside secretory vesicles in intact platelets and in isolated alpha-granules. Weak base uptake was pH-dependent and NH+4-sensitive. In isolated alpha-granules suspended in medium buffered at pH 7.2, a delta pH, the difference between internal and external pH, of 1.2 (inside acidic) was measured by [14C]methylamine distribution. Uptake of isotopic or fluorescent amines was reduced by H+/cation exchange via ionophores and by addition of NH+4, but also by increasing the ionic strength suggesting that delta pH is partly due to a Donnan potential. Transmembrane potential measurements by fluorescent or radioactive ion distribution indicated that in the absence of ATP, granules are internally negative. When measured with 86Rb+, this potential could be entirely collapsed by increasing the ionic strength. Addition of ATP X Mg in the absence of permeating anions made the intragranular space more positive, as expected from inward electrogenic H+ pumping. The results are compatible with the coexistence of sealed and leaky subpopulations of alpha-granules. Internal acidity was generated in sealed granules in vivo by a H+-pumping ATPase, whereas in leaky granules acidity is a consequence of an internally negative Donnan potential.

Clathrin-coated vesicles contain an ATP-dependent proton pump.

Clathrin-coated vesicles isolated from calf brain contain an ATP-dependent proton pump. Proton movement was monitored by measuring [14C]methylamine distribution. Addition of Mg2+ and ATP to coated vesicles equilibrated with [14C]methylamine resulted in the generation of a 4- to 5-fold concentration gradient, corresponding to a delta pH of 0.6-0.7 units between the medium and the acidic inside of the coated vesicles. ATP-dependent [14C]methylamine uptake was abolished by the proton ionophore carbonylcyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone (FCCP) and partially inhibited by the carboxyl reagent N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide but was unaffected by the Na+, K+-ATPase inhibitors strophanthidin (100 microM) and vanadate (10 microM) and the mitochondrial ATPase inhibitors oligomycin (10 microgram/ml) and aurovertin (1 microgram/ml). GTP, but not the nonhydrolyzable analog 5'-adenylyl imidodiphosphate, could support [14C]methylamine uptake. Dissipation of the membrane potential with K+ and valinomycin resulted in stimulation of [14C]methylamine uptake, whereas both FCCP and valinomycin stimulated the strophanthidin-resistant ATPase activity. These results are consistent with the existence of an electrogenic, ATP-dependent proton pump in clathrin-coated vesicles. This proton pump may play a role in the acidification events that are essential in receptor-mediated endocytosis.

Anion-Sensitive, H+-Pumping ATPase in Membrane Vesicles from Oat Roots

H(+)-pumping ATPases were detected in microsomal vesicles of oat (Avena sativa L. var Lang) roots using [(14)C]methylamine distribution or quinacrine fluorescent quenching. Methylamine (MeA) accumulation into vesicles and quinacrine quench were specifically dependent on Mg,ATP. Both activities reflected formation of a proton gradient (DeltapH) (acid inside) as carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone, nigericin (in the presence of K(+)), or gramicidin decreased MeA uptake or increased quinacrine fluorescence. The properties of H(+) pumping as measured by MeA uptake were characterized. The K(m) (app) for ATP was about 0.1 millimolar. Mg,GTP and Mg, pyrophosphate were 19% and 30% as effective as Mg,ATP. MeA uptake was inhibited by N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide and was mostly insensitive to oligomycin, vanadate, or copper. ATP-dependent MeA was stimulated by anions with decreasing order of potency of Cl(-) > Br(-) > NO(3) (-) > SO(4) (2-), iminodiacetate, benzene sulfonate. Anion stimulation of H(+) pumping was caused in part by the ability of permeant anions to dissipate the electrical potential and in part by a specific requirement of Cl(-) by a H(+) -pumping ATPase. A pH gradient, probably caused by a Donnan potential, could be dissipated by K(+) in the presence or absence of ATP. MeA uptake was enriched in vesicles of relatively low density and showed a parallel distribution with vanadate-insensitive ATPase activity on a continuous dextran gradient. DeltapH as measured by quinacrine quench was partially vanadate-sensitive. These results show that plant membranes have at least two types of H(+) -pumping ATPases. One is vanadate-sensitive and probably enriched in the plasma membrane. One is vanadate-resistant, anion-sensitive and has many properties characteristic of a vacuolar ATPase. These results are consistent with the presence of electrogenic H(+) pumps at the plasma membrane and tonoplast of higher plant cells.

Cation transport mechanisms in Mycoplasma mycoides var. Capri cells. The nature of the link between K+ and Na+ transport.

We have studied the links between the mechanisms of Na(+), K(+) and H(+) movements in glycolysing Mycoplasma mycoides var. Capri cells. In the light of the results reported in the preceding paper [Benyoucef, Rigaud & Leblanc (1982) Biochem. J.208, 529-538], we investigated certain properties of the membrane-bound ATPase of Mycoplasma cells, with special reference to its ionic requirements and sensitivity to specific inhibitors. Our findings show, first, that, although Na(+) stimulated ATPase activity, K(+) did not affect it, and, secondly, that NN'-dicyclocarboidi-imide and 7-chloro-4-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazole (NBD) were potent inhibitors of the basal ATPase activity, which was unaffected by vanadate and ouabain. We also investigated the movements of Na(+) and H(+) under the experimental conditions applied to the study of the K(+) uptake reported in the preceding paper, and found that when ;Na(+)-loaded cells' previously equilibrated with (22)Na(+) were diluted in a sodium-free medium, addition of glucose induced a rapid efflux of (22)Na(+). This energy-dependent efflux was independent of the presence of KCl in the medium. Studies of the changes in internal pH by 9-aminoacridine fluorescence or [(14)C]methylamine distribution indicated that the movement of Na(+) was coupled to that of protons moving in the opposite direction, a finding that supports the presence of an Na(+)/H(+) antiport. When Na(+)-loaded cells are diluted in an Na(+)-rich medium the Na(+)/H(+) antiport is still active, but cannot decrease the intracellular Na(+) concentration. Under such conditions, net (22)Na(+) extrusion is specifically dependent on the presence of K(+) in the medium. The present results and those derived from the study of K(+) accumulation (the preceding paper) can be rationalized by assuming that Mycoplasma mycoides var. Capri cells contain two transport systems for Na(+) extrusion: an Na(+)/H(+) antiport and an ATP-consuming Na(+)/K(+)-exchange system.

Membrane potential of Plasmodium-infected erythrocytes.

The membrane potential (Em) of normal and Plasmodium chabaudi-infected rat erythrocytes was determined from the transmembrane distributions of the lipophilic anion, thiocyanate (SCN), and cation, triphenylmethylphosphonium (TPMP). The SCN- and TPMP-measured Em of normal erythrocytes are -6.5 +/- 3 mV and -10 +/- 4 mV, respectively. The TPMP-measured Em of infected cells depended on parasite developmental stage; "late" stages (schizonts and gametocytes) were characterized by a Em = -35 mV "early stages (ring and copurifying noninfected) by a low Em (-16 mV). The SCN-determined Em of infected cells was -7 mV regardless of parasite stage. Studies with different metabolic inhibitors including antimycin A, a proton ionophore (carbonylcyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone [CCCP] ), and a H+ -ATPase inhibitor (N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, [DCCD] ) indicate that SCN monitors the Em across the erythrocyte membrane of infected and normal cells whereas TPMP accumulation reflects the Em across the plasma membranes of both erythrocyte and parasite. These inhibitor studies also implicated proton fluxes in Em-generation of parasitized cells. Experiments with weak acids and bases to measure intracellular pH further support this proposal. Methylamine distribution and direct pH measurement after saponin lysis of erythrocyte membranes demonstrated an acidic pH for the erythrocyte matrix of infected cells. The transmembrane distributions of weak acids (acetate and 5,5-dimethyloxazolidine-2,4-dione) indicated a DCCD-sensitive alkaline compartment. The combined results suggest that the intraerythrocyte parasite Em and delta pH are in part the consequence of an electrogenic proton pump localized to the parasite plasma membrane.