Lebedev V.S.
[Characteristics of the action of heavy metals on the membrane of Escherichia coli]
Izv Akad Nauk SSSR Biol. 1986 May-Jun;(3):370-7.

Influence of Ag, Hg, and Cu salts on energy-dependent H+ efflux from E. coli and passive permeability of cytoplasmic membrane for H+ and MnO4- has been studied. The experimental data has been analyzed on the basis of supposition that SH-reagents sensitive E. coli membrane proteins faced to the cytoplasm. Within the framework of the model, Ag+ and Hg2+ penetrate the cell in energy-independent way. With increase in action dose of these metals on E. coli, the level of membrane damage increases at the expense of inactivation of new, less accessible SH-groups containing proteins. In contrast to Ag+ and Hg2+, Cu2+ penetrates the cell via active transport possibly at the expense of antiport with H+ during metabolism. The high sensitivity of systems responsible for energy dependent H+ efflux from cells (phosphotransferase system of glucose transfer and/or glycolysis enzymes) to Cu2+ limits Cu2+ influx in E. coli and thus prevents the development of multiple membrane damage with increase in the metal concentration in incubation medium.
 

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