Energy donor-dependent effect of Cd2+ on [14C]glutamate transport in Staphylococcus aureus.

In starved cells of Cd2(+)-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus 17810S preloaded with either glutamate or pyruvate, [14C]glutamate transport was blocked by 10 microM Cd2+, whereas in cells preloaded with lactate, [14C]glutamate transport was not affected. This differential effect of Cd2+ could be due to the presence or absence of dithiols in the substrate oxidizing systems. In starved cells of Cd2(+)-resistant strain 17810R preloaded with either of the three substrates, [14C]glutamate transport was insensitive to 10 microM Cd2+.