The number of accessible SH-groups in Escherichia coli membrane vesicles is increased by ATP or by formate

Glucose concentration is determinant for the functioning of hydrogenase 1 and hydrogenase 2 in regulating the proton and potassium fluxes in Escherichia coli at pH 7.5

This study examines how FOF1-ATPase, hydrogenases (Hyd-1 and Hyd-2), and potassium transport systems (TrkA) interact to maintain the proton motive force (pmf) in E. coli during fermentation of different glucose concentrations (2 g L-1 and 8 g L-1). Our findings indicate that mutants lacking the hyaA-hyaC genes exhibited a 30 % increase in total proton flux compared to the wild type when grown with 2 g L-1 glucose. This has been observed during assays where similar glucose levels were supplemented. Disruptions in proton pumping, particularly in hyaB and hyaC single mutants, led to increased potassium uptake. The hyaB mutant showed a threefold increase in the contribution of FOF1-ATPase to proton flux, suggesting a significant role for Hyd-1 in proton translocation. In the hybC mutant grown in 2 g L-1 glucose conditions, DCCD-sensitive fluxes decreased by 70 %, indicating critical role of Hyd-2 in proton transport and FOF1 function. When cells were grown with 8 g L-1 glucose, the 2H+/1K+ ratio was significantly disturbed in both wild type and mutants. Despite these perturbances, mutants with disruptions in Hyd-1 and Hyd-2 maintained constant FOF1 function, suggesting that this enzyme remains stable in glucose-rich environments. These results provide valuable insights into how Hyd-1 and Hyd-2 contribute to the regulation of ion transport, particularly proton translocation, in response to glucose concentration. Our study uncovered potential complementary mechanisms between Hyd-1 and Hyd-2 subunits, suggesting a complex interplay between these enzymes via metabolic cross talk with FOF1 in response to glucose concentrations to maintain pmf.

The effects of copper (II) ions on Enterococcus hirae cell growth and the proton-translocating FoF1 ATPase activity

Enterococcus hirae grow well under anaerobic conditions at alkaline pH (pH 8.0) producing acids by glucose fermentation. Bacterial growth was shown to be accompanied by decrease of redox potential from positive values (approximately +35 mV) to negative ones (approximately -220 mV). An oxidizer copper (II) ions (Cu(2+)) affected bacterial growth in a concentration-dependent manner (within the range of 0.05 mM to 1 mM) increasing lag phase duration and decreasing specific growth rate. These effects were observed with the wild-type strain ATCC9790 and the atpD mutant strain MS116 (with absent beta subunit of F(1) of the F(o)F(1) ATPase) both. Also ATPase activity and proton-potassium ions exchange were assessed with and without N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCCD), inhibitor of the F(o)F(1) ATPase. In both cases (DCCD +/-), even low Cu(2+) concentrations had noticeable effect on ATPase activity, but with less visible concentration-dependent manner. Changes in the number of accessible SH-groups were observed with E. hirae ATCC9790 and MS116 membrane vesicles. In both strains Cu(2+) markedly decreased the number of SH-groups in the presence of K(+) ions. The addition of ATP increased the amount of accessible SH-groups in ATCC9790 and decreased this number in MS116; Cu(2+) blocked ATP-installed increase in SH-groups number in ATCC9790. H(+)-K(+)-exchange of bacteria was markedly inhibited by Cu(2+), but stronger effects were detected together with DCCD. Moreover, discrimination between Cu(2+) and other bivalent cation--Ni(2+) was shown. It is suggested that Cu(2+) ions inhibit E. hirae cell growth by direct affect on the F(o)F(1) ATPase leading to conformational changes in this protein complex and decrease in its activity.

Copper (II) ions affect Escherichia coli membrane vesicles' SH-groups and a disulfide-dithiol interchange between membrane proteins

The SH-groups in Escherichia coli membrane vesicles, prepared from cells grown in fermentation conditions on glucose at slightly alkaline pH, have a role in the F0F1-ATPase operation. The changes in the number of these groups by ATP are observed under certain conditions. In this study, copper ions (Cu2+) in concentration of 0.1 mM were shown to increase the number of SH-groups in 1.5- to 1.6-fold independent from K+ ions, and the suppression of the increased level of SH-groups by ATP was determined for Cu2+ in the presence of K+. Moreover, the increase in the number of SH-groups by Cu2+ was absent as well as the inhibition in ATP-dependent increasing SH-groups number by Cu2+ lacked when vesicles were treated with N-ethylmaleimide (NEM), specific thiol-reagent. Such an effect was not observed with zinc (Zn2+), cobalt (Co2+), or Cu+ ions. The increased level of SH-groups was observed in the hycE or hyfR mutants with defects in hydrogenases 3 or 4, whereas the ATP-dependent increase in the number of these groups was determined in hycE not in hyfR mutants. Both changes in SH-groups number disappeared in the atp or hyc mutants deleted for the F0F1-ATPase or hydrogenase 3 (no activity of hydrogenase 4 was detected in the hyc mutant used). A direct effect of Cu2+ but not Cu+ on the F0F1-ATPase is suggested to lead to conformational changes or damaging consequences, increasing accessible SH-groups number and disturbing disulfide-dithiol interchange within a protein-protein complex, where this ATPase works with K+ uptake system or hydrogenase 4 (Hyd-4); breaks in disulfides are not ruled out.

Redox sensing by Escherichia coli: Effects of copper ions as oxidizers on proton-coupled membrane transport

Escherichia coli is able to grow under anaerobic fermentation conditions upon a decrease in redox potential (E(h)). Indeed, upon a transition of E. coli MC4100 wild-type culture to stationary growth phase a decrease in E(h) from the positive values ( approximately +100 mV) to the negative ones ( approximately -520 mV) was observed, the acidification of the medium and the H(2) production were obtained. An oxidizer, copper ions (Cu(2+)) affected a bacterial growth in a concentration-dependent manner (of 0.1 mM to 10 mM) increasing latent (lag) growth phase duration, delaying logarithmic (log) growth phase and decreasing specific growth rate. Acidification of the medium and the N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCCD)- and azide-sensitive proton-potassium exchange by bacteria were inhibited, H(2) production upon growth and under assays disappeared with Cu(2+) (0.1 mM). These effects were observed with hycE but not hyfR and hyc(A-H) mutants and under aerobic conditions. Cu(2+) also increased membrane proton conductance. Copper ions are suggested to affect directly the F(0)F(1)-ATPase associated with potassium uptake transport system and/or formate hydrogenlyase composed with hydrogenase 4. A role of the F(0)F(1)-ATPase in redox sensing under fermentation is proposed.

The increase in the number of accessible SH-groups in the enterococcal membrane vesicles by ATP and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotides

The number of accessible SH groups was determined in membrane vesicles prepared from Enterococcus hirae grown under anaerobic conditions at alkaline pH (pH 8.0). Addition of ATP or nicotinamide adenine dinucleotides (NAD(+) +NADH) to the vesicles caused a approximately 4-fold or approximately 1.9-fold increase in the number of SH-groups, respectively. This was inhibited by treatment with N-ethylmaleimide. The increase was significant when ATP and NAD(+) +NADH both were added. The change was lacking in the presence of the F0F1-ATPase inhibitors N,N'-diclohexylcarbodiimide or sodium azide. This was also absent in atp mutant with defect in the F0F1-ATPase and, in addition, it was less in potassium ion-free medium. These results are correlated with data about K+-dependent F0F1-ATPase activity, suggesting a relationship between the F0F1-ATPase and K+ uptake Trk-like system. The latter may be regulated by NAD or NADH mediating conformational changes.

Escherichia coli proton-translocating F0F1-ATP synthase and its association with solute secondary transporters and/or enzymes of anaerobic oxidation–reduction under fermentation

The Escherichia coli proton-translocating F0F1-ATP synthase has a priority in H+ circulation through the membrane in maintaining proton-motive force in the context of ATP synthesis and hydrolysis. Recent advances in the study of this complex under fermentative growth have led to hypothesis that, in the absence of oxidative phosphorylation, F0F1 is implicated as an essential part of H+ movement and ATP hydrolysis, associated with solute secondary transporters and/or enzymes of anaerobic oxidation-reduction. These associations can result from a protein-protein interaction by dithiol-disulfide interchange. In such associations F0F1 has novel functions in bacterial cell physiology.