THE BACTERIAL PLASMA-MEMBRANE ATPASE IN ASSESSMENT OF HEAVY-METAL TOXICITY

Sensitivity of membrane ATPase to heavy metals was studied in bacteria l strains Bacillus cereus ATCC 14579, Bacillus cereus B4368, and Alcal igenes eutrophus CH34. The inhibition effects of metals on membrane AT Pase ranged in the same order (Au > Cu > Zn > Co > Mn) as their effect s on the growth of cultures. It is suggested that membrane ATPase is o ne of the targets for the action of heavy metal ions within the microb ial cell and, therefore, its activity may serve as an indicator of the ir toxicity.