Inhibition of L-lysine uptake by alpha-methyl lysine in Escherichia coli and Bacillus sphaericus.

alpha-Methyl lysine was investigated as a potential inhibitor of lysine transport in Escherichia coli and Bacillus sphaericus. At equimolar concentrations, no inhibition was observed in either organism, but at 10X and 100X the lysine concentration, alpha-methyl lysine caused a 20-50% reduction in the initial rate of lysine uptake in both bacteria. A similar inhibitory effect was observed with epsilon-N-methyl lysine on lysine uptake in B. sphaericus, but not in E. coli. alpha-Methyl lysine had a reduced effect on ornithine uptake and no effect on arginine transport in either bacterium.