Methionine Transport in Chlorella vulgaris

Abstract

Absorption of ³⁵S-l-methionine by Chlorella vulgaris was measured at concentrations that ranged from 0.1 to 10.0 μmoles/ml. A brief, rapid phase of uptake was followed by a more prolonged, slower phase that was linear only at the lowest concentrations. The radioactivity accumulated by the end of 1 hour's incubation at an exogenous level of 0.1 μmole/ml was retained by the cells despite the inclusion of 10 μmoles/ml of nonradioactive methionine in the rinse medium. As the exogenous concentration was raised, the ratio of intracellular soluble radioactivity to exogenous radioactivity decreased. Analysis of the accumulated, soluble radioactivity showed that 90% was in the form of methionine and that about 10% had been converted to a compound with properties of S-adenosylmethionine. Azide and ethionine were the most effective of the inhibitors tested.