H+/ion antiport as the principal mechanism of transport systems in the vacuolar membrane of the yeast Saccharomyces carlsbergensis.

The secondary transport systems of the yeast vacuolar membrane have been investigated by the method of radioactive isotopes [( 14C]arginine); activation of H+-ATPase by cations (Cat+), when the enzyme is under H+ control and measurement of changes in the proton gradient (delta pH) and membrane potential (Em) due to the supposed substrates of the transporters. The main mechanism of cation transport across the yeast tonoplast is probably H+/Cat+ antiport. The apparent Km of antiporters for Ca2+, Mg2+, Mn2+, Zn2+ and Pi are 0.06, 0.3, 0.8, 0.055-0.17 and 1.5 mM, respectively.