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Abstract

Charge translocation by the Kdp-ATPase of Escherichia coli was measured by adsorption of proteoliposomes to a planar lipid membrane. The proteoliposomes were prepared by reconstitution of purified Kdp-ATPase into liposomes prepared from E. coli lipids. The protein was activated by a ATP concentration jump produced by photolysis of a protected derivative of ATP, caged ATP. Charge translocation was measured with a time resolution of 15−40 ms. Stationary currents demonstrated the continuous pumping activity of the enzyme. Control measurements with the potential-sensitive dye DiSC₃(5) showed a negative potential inside the proteoliposomes after activation with ATP. The measured electrical signals as well as the dye measurements correspond to the transport of positive charge to the intracellular face of the protein. The electrical signal was increased when K⁺ was inside the proteoliposomes (K_0.5 ≈ 50 μM) and was inhibited by vanadate. These experiments demonstrate the electrogeneity of the Kdp-ATPase in a purified reconstituted system.