“…K+-depleted cells develop higher membrane potentials than do K+-replete cells (Kashket & Barker, 1977;Bakker & Mangerich, 1981 ;Kroll & Booth, 1981). Since the rate at which the polycation streptomycin is taken up by the cells is a steep function of the membrane potential (Damper & Epstein, 1981 ;Bryan & Kwan, 1983;Emling & Holtje, 1987), K+-depleted cells will take up streptomycin faster and will be affected by the antibiotic earlier (Figs 1 and 3). Hence, our data indirectly support the notion that the magnitude of the membrane potential determines the rate at which streptomycin is taken up by the cells (Damper & Epstein, 1981 ;Bryan & Kwan, 1983;Taber et al, 1987;Emling & Holtje, 1987).…”