Gradation of the Magnitude of the Electrochemical Proton Gradient in Mycoplasma Cells

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Abstract
In M. mycoides var. capri, regulation of glucose uptake by the non-metabolizable glucose analog, methyl .alpha.-D-glucoside, can be used to control intracellular ATP content. This leads to a control of the rate of proton extrusion catalyzed by the Mg2+-dependent ATPase .**GRAPHIC**. and the respective amplitudes of the components of .DELTA.~.mu.H+ (electrochemical proton gradient). When Mycoplasma cells are incubated with 10 mM methyl .alpha.-D-glucose, the amplitude of .**GRAPHIC**. of the electrical potential .DELTA..psi. and of the chemical gradient .DELTA.pH become continuous functions of external glucose concentration within the limits of the non-energized and fully energized states. Analysis of the relationships between graduated amplitudes of .DELTA..psi., .DELTA.pH and .**GRAPHIC**. show that the primary form of energy stored by a .DELTA.~.mu.H+ generator is the electrical potential.