Effect of tetraphenylboron upon the uptake of the lipophilic cation dibenzyldimethylammonium by yeast cells.

The rate of uptake of the lipophilic cation dibenzyldimethylammonium by yeast cells is increased by tetraphenylboron. However, tetraphenylboron increases also the equilibrium partition of dibenzyldimethylammonium between cells and medium, probably because a complex between tetraphenylboron and dibenzyldimethylammonium is trapped inside the cells. Accumulation of dibenzyldimethylammonium in the presence of tetraphenylboron is not reversed by dinitrophenol, whereas accumulation of the lipophilic cation in the absence of tetraphenylboron appears to be almost completely reversible.