[Potassium transport in Escherichia coli B. II. Dependence of the intracellular steady-state potassium concentration upon the extracellular potassium and sodium concentrations in E. coli B 525].

The stationary intracellular potassium concentration in E. coli B 525 has been studied as a function of the extracellular potassium and sodium concentrations. The ratio of extracellular to intracellular potassium concentration is shown to be a linear function of the extracellular potassium concentration if the extracellular sodium concentration is low (20 mmoles/1). In the case of high sodium concentration (100 mmoles/1) the ratio is independent of the extracellular potassium concentration if the potassium concentration is below 1,2 mmoles/1. In order to describe the distribution of potassium uniformly over the whole range of the extracellular potassium and sodium concentrations a carrier system with two sites has to be supposed.