Dissipation of membrane potential of Escherichia coli cells induced by macromolecular polylysine.

Macromolecular polylysine caused a rapid and drastic decrease in the membrane potential of Escherichia coli cells, monitored with the uptake of the lipophilic cation, tetraphenylphosphonium cation (TPP+). Respiration of cells was not affected to a significant extent by polylysine. Polylysine treatment induced the efflux of K+ from cells, suggesting that an increase in permeability of cytoplasmic membrane may be responsible for the decrease in the membrane potential. The action of polylysine is discussed in comparison with that of colicin E1 which is known to dissipate the membrane potential of E. coli cells.