Calcium channel blockers inhibit bacterial chemotaxis

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Abstract
The effect of several Ca2+ channel blockers, which inhibit the voltage‐dependent Ca2+ uptake in Bacillus subtilis, on chemotactic behaviour of the bacterium was studied. Nitrendipine, verapamil, LACl3 and ω‐conotoxin were tested and these blockers inhibited chemotactic behaviour in the bacterium toward L‐alanine. Among these blockers, ω‐conotoxin was the most effective inhibitor of chemotaxis. EGTA was also as effective as ω‐conotoxin. In contrast, these blockers, did not inhibit the motility and the growth of the bacterium. These results suggest that internal Ca2+ plays an important role in the sensory system of bacterial chemotaxis.