Ni2+-uptake in Pseudomonas putida strain S4:: a possible role of Mg2+-uptake pump

Essential metal ion homeostasis is based on regulated uptake of metal ions, both during its scarcity and abundance. Pseudomonas Putida strain S4, a multimetal resistant bacterium, was employed to investigate Ni2+ entry into cells. It was observed that Mg2+ regulates the entry of Ni2+ and by this plays a protective role to minimize Ni2+ toxicity in this strain. This protection was evident in both growth as well as viability. Intracellular accumulation of Ni2+ varied in accordance with Mg2+ concentrations in the medium. It was hypothesized that Ni2+ enters the cell using a broad Mg2+ pump, i.e. the CorA system, as the CorA inhibitor, i.e. Co(III) Hex, also inhibits Ni2+ uptake. This led to the inference that Mg2+-based protection was basically due to competitive inhibition of Ni2+ uptake. We also show that Zn2+ can further regulate the entry of Ni2+.