Skip to main content
Journal of Bacteriology logoLink to Journal of Bacteriology
. 1979 Dec;140(3):749–753. doi: 10.1128/jb.140.3.749-753.1979

Chemosensory responses of Halobacterium halobium.

A Schimz, E Hildebrand
PMCID: PMC216711  PMID: 533767

Abstract

Responses of Halobacterium halobium cells to chemical stimuli have been shown by a capillary technique. Cells were attacted by D-glucose and several amino acids and repelled by phenol. Certain chemicals, such as acetate, benzoate, indole, and NiSO4, that are known to act as repellents of Escherichia coli cells served as attractants for Halobacterium. In the presence of ethionine, sensitivity to attractants was reduced. Arsenate prevented the attraction by glucose without lowering the cellular adenosine 5'-triphosphate level. The ability for chemo-accumulation toward glucose and histidine was interfered with by the formation of photosensory systems. Light-induced motor responses and chemosensory behavior toward glucose and histidine became detectable in the late stationary growth phase only. The behavior toward acetate and indole was not connected to photobehavior in that way: both substances acted as attractants already in the late log phase. Inhibition of bacteriorhodopsin synthesis by L-nicotine allowed chemo-accumulation toward glucose and histidine already in the late logarithmic phase.

Full text

PDF
751

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. Adler J. A method for measuring chemotaxis and use of the method to determine optimum conditions for chemotaxis by Escherichia coli. J Gen Microbiol. 1973 Jan;74(1):77–91. doi: 10.1099/00221287-74-1-77. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. Goy M. F., Springer M. S., Adler J. Failure of sensory adaptation in bacterial mutants that are defective in a protein methylation reaction. Cell. 1978 Dec;15(4):1231–1240. doi: 10.1016/0092-8674(78)90049-1. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. Goy M. F., Springer M. S., Adler J. Sensory transduction in Escherichia coli: role of a protein methylation reaction in sensory adaptation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1977 Nov;74(11):4964–4968. doi: 10.1073/pnas.74.11.4964. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. Hildebrand E., Dencher N. Two photosystems controlling behavioural responses of Halobacterium halobium. Nature. 1975 Sep 4;257(5521):46–48. doi: 10.1038/257046a0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. Kort E. N., Goy M. F., Larsen S. H., Adler J. Methylation of a membrane protein involved in bacterial chemotaxis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1975 Oct;72(10):3939–3943. doi: 10.1073/pnas.72.10.3939. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. Larsen S. H., Adler J., Gargus J. J., Hogg R. W. Chemomechanical coupling without ATP: the source of energy for motility and chemotaxis in bacteria. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1974 Apr;71(4):1239–1243. doi: 10.1073/pnas.71.4.1239. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. Muskavitch M. A., Kort E. N., Springer M. S., Goy M. F., Adler J. Attraction by repellents: an error in sensory information processing by bacterial mutants. Science. 1978 Jul 7;201(4350):63–65. doi: 10.1126/science.351803. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. Ordal G. W. Effect of methionine on chemotaxis by Bacillus subtilis. J Bacteriol. 1976 Mar;125(3):1005–1012. doi: 10.1128/jb.125.3.1005-1012.1976. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. Sumper M., Reitmeier H., Oesterhelt D. Biosynthesis of the purple membrane of halobacteria. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl. 1976 Apr;15(4):187–194. doi: 10.1002/anie.197601871. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  10. Tso W. W., Adler J. Negative chemotaxis in Escherichia coli. J Bacteriol. 1974 May;118(2):560–576. doi: 10.1128/jb.118.2.560-576.1974. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  11. Van Der Werf P., Koshland D. E., Jr Identification of a gamma-glutamyl methyl ester in bacterial membrane protein involved in chemotaxis. J Biol Chem. 1977 Apr 25;252(8):2793–2795. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  12. Wagner G., Hartmann R., Oesterhelt D. Potassium uniport and ATP synthesis in Halobacterium halobium. Eur J Biochem. 1978 Aug 15;89(1):169–179. doi: 10.1111/j.1432-1033.1978.tb20909.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from Journal of Bacteriology are provided here courtesy of American Society for Microbiology (ASM)

RESOURCES