Photo-induced proton gradients for the in vitro investigation of bacterial efflux pumps

Sci Rep. 2012:2:306. doi: 10.1038/srep00306. Epub 2012 Mar 7.

Abstract

We describe an original activity assay for membrane transport that uses the proton motive force-dependent efflux pump MexAB from Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This pump is co-reconstituted into proteoliposomes together with bacteriorhodopsin (BR), a light-activated proton pump. In this system, upon illumination with visible light, the photo-induced proton gradient created by the BR is shown to be coupled to the active transport of substrates through the pump.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biological Transport
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Photochemical Processes*
  • Protons*
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa / metabolism*
  • Spectrometry, Fluorescence

Substances

  • Protons