Ca(2+)-Transport through Plasma Membrane as a Test of Auxin Sensitivity

Phosphatidic acids mediate transport of Ca2+ and H+ through plant cell membranes

Phosphatidic acids (PAs) are a key intermediate in phospholipid biosynthesis, and a central element in numerous signalling pathways. Functions of PAs are related to their fundamental role in molecular interactions within cell membranes modifying membrane bending, budding, fission and fusion. Here we tested the hypothesis that PAs are capable of direct transport of ions across bio-membranes. We have demonstrated that PAs added to the maize plasma membrane vesicles induced ionophore-like transmembrane transport of Ca2+, H+ and Mg2+. PA-induced Ca2+ fluxes increased with an increasing PAs acyl chain unsaturation. For all the PAs analysed, the effect on Ca2+ permeability increased with increasing pH (pH 8.0>pH 7.2>pH 6.0). The PA-induced Ca2+, Mg2+ and H+ permeability was also more pronounced in the endomembrane vesicles as compared with the plasma membrane vesicles. Addition of PA to protoplasts from Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. roots constitutively expressing aequorin triggered elevation of the cytosolic Ca2+ activity, indicating that the observed PA-dependent Ca2+ transport occurs in intact plants.

Auxin effects on ion transport in Chara corallina

The plant hormone auxin has been widely studied with regard to synthesis, transport, signaling and functions among the land plants while there is still a lack of knowledge about the possible role for auxin regulation mechanisms in algae with "plant-like" structures. Here we use the alga Chara corallina as a model to study aspects of auxin signaling. In this respect we measured auxin on membrane potential changes and different ion fluxes (K(+), H(+)) through the plasma membrane. Results showed that auxin, mainly IAA, could hyperpolarize the membrane potential of C. corallina internodal cells. Ion flux measurements showed that the auxin-induced membrane potential change may be based on the change of K(+) permeability and/or channel activity rather than through the activation of proton pumps as known in land plants.

Effect of K+ and Ca2+ on the indole-3-acetic acid- and fusicoccin-induced growth and membrane potential in maize coleoptile cells

The role of potassium (K(+)) and calcium (Ca(2+)) in the regulation of plant growth and development is complex and needs a diverse range of physiological studies. Both elements are essential for satisfactory crop production. Here, the effects of K(+) and Ca(2+) ions on endogenous growth and growth in the presence of either indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) or fusicoccin (FC) were studied in maize (Zea mays) coleoptiles. Membrane potentials of coleoptile parenchymal cells, incubated in media containing IAA, FC and different concentrations of K(+) and Ca(2+), were also determined. Growth experiments have shown that in the absence of K(+) in the incubation medium, both endogenous and IAA- or FC-induced growth were significantly inhibited by 0.1 and 1 mM Ca(2+), respectively, while in the presence of 1 mM K(+) they were inhibited only by 1 mM Ca(2+). At 10 mM K(+), endogenous growth and growth induced by either IAA or FC did not depend on Ca(2+) concentration. TEA-Cl, a potassium channel blocker, added 1 h before IAA or FC, caused a reduction of growth by 59 or 45 %, respectively. In contrast to TEA-Cl, verapamil, the Ca(2+) channel blocker, did not affect IAA- and FC-induced growth. It was also found that in parenchymal cells of maize coleoptile segments, membrane potential (Em) was strongly affected by the medium K(+), independently of Ca(2+). However, lack of Ca(2+) in the incubation medium significantly reduced the IAA- and FC-induced membrane potential hyperpolarization. TEA-Cl applied to the control medium in the same way as in growth experiments caused Em hyperpolarization synergistic with hyperpolarization produced by IAA or FC. Verapamil did not change either the Em of parenchymal cells incubated in the control medium or the IAA- and FC-induced membrane hyperpolarization. The data presented here have been discussed considering the role of K(+) uptake channels in regulation of plant cell growth.