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. 1984 Aug;159(2):605–610. doi: 10.1128/jb.159.2.605-610.1984

Voltage clamp effects on bacterial chemotaxis.

Y Margolin, M Eisenbach
PMCID: PMC215686  PMID: 6430873

Abstract

To examine whether or not sensory signaling in bacteria is by way of fluctuations in membrane potential, we studied the effect of clamping the potential on bacterial chemotaxis. The potential was clamped by valinomycin, a K+ -specific ionophore, in the presence of K+. Despite the clamped potential, sensory signaling did occur: both Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis cells were still excitable and adaptable under these conditions. It is concluded that signaling in the excitation and adaptation steps of chemotaxis is not by way of fluctuations in the membrane potential.

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Selected References

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