(ch)omp, (ch)omp

[Potter Wickware]

Subject: Re: How do bacteria sense env.?
To: Karen Ferri <kferri at gibbs.oit.unc.edu>
cc: microbiology at net.bio.net

well, "omp" stands for outer membrane protein, and these are like pores 
which admit nutritious or shall we say energetically useful substances 
like glucose for example.  Once in the cell these molecules cause a 
change in the chemical gradient inside, activating thru a series of steps 
proteins that make the flagella start to turn, whipping the little guy 
closer to his dinner.  I don't know about the sensor and regulator.  I 
must not have had the same micro book.  Gosh, this is making me hungry.

Same thing can happen in reverse, ie., noxious substances will cause an 
avoidance response.  Some bugs do it in response to light.  

You know what I'd do?  Go to the library and look up a review article in 
Ann Rev Microbiol about chemotaxis.  A lot of those reviews are pretty 
well written and go into more depth than the text.

Potter Wickware


On 2 Sep 1994, Karen Ferri wrote:

> 
> Hello all.  Am taking my first micro. class and am absolutely fascinated 
> by it!  I am having a little trouble understanding the mech. by which 
> bacteria sense their environment.  I understand the mech. of chemotaxis; 
> it's how do they sense in the first place I am confused on and haven't 
> been able to find any clear info if at all ( my text omits this).  Some 
> of the terms  the prof used were: omp R, omp C, omp F, sensor in the 
> cytoplasmic membrane and response regulator in the cytoplasm.  Can anyone 
> explain this to me in clear language?  Many thanks, in advance.
> 
> KF
> 
>