Choline is a methylated nitrogen compound that is widespread in nature. It is a precursor of several metabolites that perform numerous biological functions and it is predominantly used for the synthesis of essential lipid components of the cell membranes. Since there is no evidence that prokariotes can synthesize choline de novo and because choline uptake from exogenous sources is energetically more favorable than de novo synthesis, bacteria have evolved different uptake mechanisms for choline transport across the bacterial membrane. This protocol describes an easy and high sensitive method to assess choline uptake in bacteria using as tracer [³H]-choline chloride. The protocol was originally intended for Brucella abortus but could be applied for any bacteria with the corresponding modifications depending on the bacteria growth requirements (composition of the culture medium, temperature for growth, etc.). It can be useful to determine the choline uptake ability of several bacterial species under different growth conditions.

Choline (胆碱)

Uptake assay (吸收法)

Choline transporter (胆碱转运)

Brucella (布鲁氏菌)

Brucellosis (布氏杆菌病)