Na +/H + antiport in isolated plasma membrane vesicles from the halotolerant alga Dunaliella salina

• Published in: FEBS letters Vol. 202; no. 1; pp. 141 - 144
• Main Authors: Katz, Adriana, Kaback, H.Ronald, Avron, Mordhay
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 23.06.1986; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Biological and medical sciences; Cell physiology; Dunaliella; Exact sciences and technology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Halotolerance; HCO 3− transport; HCO3 − transport; Na +/H + exchange; Other techniques and industries; Plant physiology and development; Plasma membrane and permeation; Halotolerance; Dunaliella; Na +/H + exchange; HCO 3 − transport; Salt resistance; Cell permeability; Sodium; Photosynthesis; Plasma membrane
• ISSN: 0014-5793; 1873-3468
• DOI: 10.1016/0014-5793(86)80665-2

Plasma membrane vesicles isolated from the halotolerant alga Dunaliella salina catalyze Na +/H + antiport in a manner that is highly specific for Na + (apparent K m ≅ 16 mM). Li + and amiloride inhibit the process competitively with apparent K i values of 38 and 37 μM, respectively. It is suggested that Na +/H + antiport in this organism plays a major role in maintaining low intracellular Na + concentrations and may also function to drive Na +/HCO 3 − symport, an important step in photosynthetic carbon fixation.