Osmotic stress triggers fast and reversible PMF collapse in <i>Escherichia coli</i>.

ABSTRACT: Environmental stressors routinely impact bacteria and affect their physiology. Among the most important physiological parameters is the proton motive force (PMF), that powers vital cellular processes and molecular machines. Measuring how PMF responds to environmental stress in real time requires tools that capture rapid physiological changes with high temporal resolution. Here, we use the bacterial flagella motor as an in vivo voltmeter to probe PMF dynamics during hyperosmotic shock. Because motor rotation frequency scales linearly with PMF, this approach enables single-cell electrophysiology with high temporal resolution. We find that hyperosmotic stress causes a rapid and reversible loss of PMF in Escherichia coli, independent of the osmolyte used or the presence of potass

SUBMITTER: Meneses L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12485702 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature