DISTRIBUTION OF POLYAMINES IN ESCHERICHIA-COLI AND THEIR INVOLVEMENT IN POTASSIUM EXCHANGE BETWEEN THE CELL AND THE ENVIRONMENT DURING AEROBIOSIS ANAEROBIOSIS TRANSITIONS

The transition of E. coli cells to anaerobiosis is accompanied by the onset of two cellular cation flows in different directions: potassium is released into the environment, and putrescine enters the cells. If aerobic conditions are reestablished, the cation flows change directio ns. Under anaerobiosis, the cell components bind putrescine. Investiga tion of the chemical interactions resulting in putrescine binding and metabolic convertion under anaerobic conditions revealed DNA to be the main putrescine target in this process. The driving forces and mechan isms of cation transfer are discussed, and the involvement of putresci ne in topological changes in the DNA and the development of adaptive c ell responses to anaerobiosis is considered.