Ion metabolism in a Halobacterium. I. Influence of age of culture on intracellular concentrations

J Gen Physiol. 1970 Feb;55(2):187-207. doi: 10.1085/jgp.55.2.187.

Abstract

Work is described on the changes in cell ions during growth of cultures of a species of Halobacterium isolated from the Dead Sea. Cell K concentration fell from 5.5 to 3.8 moles per kg cell water during the logarithmic phase of growth and maintained the latter value during the stationary phase (initial medium concentration, 7 mM). Cell Na and Cl followed a complex series of roughly parallel changes. The logarithmic phase ion concentrations were: Na, 1.0-2.3 moles/kg cell water; Cl, 2.3-3.7 moles/kg cell water. The final stationary phase values were: Na, 0.5 moles/kg cell water; Cl, 2.3-2.9 moles/kg cell water (medium NaCl concentration, 3.9 Molal). It is suggested that most of the K(+) is bound within the cytoplasm.

MeSH terms

  • Centrifugation
  • Chlorides / analysis
  • Chlorides / metabolism*
  • Halobacterium / growth & development
  • Halobacterium / metabolism*
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Phthalic Acids / pharmacology
  • Potassium / analysis
  • Potassium / metabolism*
  • Sodium / analysis
  • Sodium / metabolism*

Substances

  • Chlorides
  • Phthalic Acids
  • Sodium
  • Potassium