Abstract
Responses ofHalobacterium halobium cells with various levels of bacteriorhodopsin pigmentation to photostimuli and chemostimuli were measured individually and in concert. Using the method of capillary accumulation, it was possible, for the first time, to separate completely signals from the phototactic and chemotactic apparatus ofH. halobium. Stimulation by green light produced a positive tactic response in fully pigmented cells, but repulsion in cells with lower bacteriorhodopsin content. Cells with all levels of pigmentation were repelled by near-violet light and application of this photostimulus modulated chemoresponse to a chemoattractant (glucose) and a chemorepellent (citrate). However, while green light also modified the attractive chemoresponse, it had little effect on the response to the chemorpellent. Thus, light can produce a general modulation of chemosensory response inH. halobium except in the presence of negative chemostimulation.
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Plotkin, B.J., Sherman, W.V. Photomodulation of chemosensory response inHalobacterium halobium . Current Microbiology 13, 209–213 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01568948
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01568948