An Mrp-Like Cluster in the Halotolerant Cyanobacterium Aphanothece halophytica Functions as a Na+/H+ Antiporter

The mrp homolog gene cluster mrpCD1D2EFGAB (Ap-mrp) was found in a halotolerant cyanobacterium, Aphanothece halophytica, amplified, and expressed in Escherichia coli mutant TO114. Ap-mrp complemented the salt-sensitive phenotype of TO114 and exhibited Na+/H+ and Li+/H+ exchange activities, indicating that Ap-Mrp functions as a Na+/H+ antiporter.