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The effect of extracellular pH and lactic acid on pH homeostasis inLactococcus lactis andStreptococcus bovis

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Abstract

WhenStreptococcus bovis JB1 andLactococcus lactis ML3 were grown with an excess of glucose, lactic acid accumulation caused a decrease in extracellular pH;S. bovis grew at extracellular pH values as low as 4.9, butL. lactis was unable to grow below pH 5.3. Because both bacteria maintained a low ΔpH across the cell membrane, it appeared that intracellular pH was controlling their pH sensitivities.S. bovis glycolyzed glucose and maintained high concentrations of ATP at intracellular pH values as low as 5.4.L. lactis could not glycolyze glucose when the intracellular pH was less than 5.6, and ATP declined.L. lactis cells that were washed and incubated in buffers with an excess glucose had higher ΔpH values than growing cells. Lactic acid addition, however, prevented the interconversion of membrane potential (Δψ) and chemical gradient of protons (ZΔpH).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Section of Microbiology, Cornell University, Wing Hall, 14853, Ithaca, NY, USA

    Gregory M. Cook

  2. Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 14853, Ithaca, New York, USA

    James B. Russell

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  1. Gregory M. Cook
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  2. James B. Russell
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Cook, G.M., Russell, J.B. The effect of extracellular pH and lactic acid on pH homeostasis inLactococcus lactis andStreptococcus bovis . Current Microbiology 28, 165–168 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01571059

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01571059

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