Na+/H+ Antiport in Bacteria and Archaebacteria
Page: 114
Institute of Animal Biochemistry and Genetics, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Ivanka pri Dunaji, Slovak Republic
Cycling of protons and Na+ across bacterial membranes is connected with such vital bacterial functions as are ATP synthesis, pH and Na+ homeostasis, motility, and solute transport. The Na+/H+ antiporter is the universal device that couples these H+ and Na+ movements across bacterial membranes. The review is concerned with the new aspects of molecular biology and physiology, regulation of activity as well as expression of Na+/H+ antiporters in E. coli, alkalophilis, halophilis, anaerobic bacteria, and archabacteria. The possible role of Na+/H+ antiporter in bioenergetic processes in these microorganisms is also discussed.