Osmoregulation of leaf motor cells

Morphing structures and signal transduction in Mimosa pudica L. induced by localized thermal stress

Leaf movements in Mimosa pudica, are in response to thermal stress, touch, and light or darkness, appear to be regulated by electrical, hydrodynamical, and chemical signal transduction. The pulvinus of the M. pudica shows elastic properties. We have found that the movements of the petiole, or pinnules, are accompanied by a change of the pulvinus morphing structures. After brief flaming of a pinna, the volume of the lower part of the pulvinus decreases and the volume of the upper part increases due to the redistribution of electrolytes between these parts of the pulvinus; as a result of these changes the petiole falls. During the relaxation of the petiole, the process goes in the opposite direction. Ion and water channel blockers, uncouplers as well as anesthetic agents diethyl ether or chloroform decrease the speed of alert wave propagation along the plant. Brief flaming of a pinna induces bidirectional propagation of electrical signal in pulvini. Transduction of electrical signals along a pulvinus induces generation of an action potential in perpendicular direction between extensor and flexor sides of a pulvinus. Inhibition of signal transduction and mechanical responses in M. pudica by volatile anesthetic agents chloroform or by blockers of voltage gated ion channels shows that the generation and propagation of electrical signals is a primary effect responsible for turgor change and propagation of an excitation. There is an electrical coupling in a pulvinus similar to the electrical synapse in the animal nerves.

Osmotic actuation modelling for innovative biorobotic solutions inspired by the plant kingdom

Osmotic-driven plant movements are widely recognized as impressive examples of energy efficiency and low power consumption. These aspects motivate the interest in developing an original biomimetic concept of new actuators based on the osmotic principle exploited by plants. This study takes a preliminary step in this direction, by modelling the dynamic behaviour of two exemplificative yet relevant implementations of an osmotic actuator concept. In more detail, the considered implementations differ from each other in the way actuation energy storage is achieved (through a piston displacement in the former case, through membrane bulging in the latter). The dynamic problem is analytically solved for both cases; scaling laws for the actuation figures of merit (namely characteristic time, maximum force, maximum power, power density, cumulated work and energy density) as a function of model parameters are obtained for the bulging implementation. Starting from such performance indicators, a preliminary dimensioning of the envisaged osmotic actuator is exemplified, based on design targets/constraints (such as characteristic time and/or maximum force). Moreover, model assumptions and limitations are discussed towards effective prototypical development and experimental testing. Nonetheless, this study takes the first step towards the design of new actuators based on the natural osmotic principle, which holds potential for disruptive innovation in many fields, including biorobotics and ICT solutions.

Energization of vacuolar transport in plant cells and its significance under stress

The plant vacuole is of prime importance in buffering environmental perturbations and in coping with abiotic stress caused by, for example, drought, salinity, cold, or UV. The large volume, the efficient integration in anterograde and retrograde vesicular trafficking, and the dynamic equipment with tonoplast transporters enable the vacuole to fulfill indispensible functions in cell biology, for example, transient and permanent storage, detoxification, recycling, pH and redox homeostasis, cell expansion, biotic defence, and cell death. This review first focuses on endomembrane dynamics and then summarizes the functions, assembly, and regulation of secretory and vacuolar proton pumps: (i) the vacuolar H(+)-ATPase (V-ATPase) which represents a multimeric complex of approximately 800 kDa, (ii) the vacuolar H(+)-pyrophosphatase, and (iii) the plasma membrane H(+)-ATPase. These primary proton pumps regulate the cytosolic pH and provide the driving force for secondary active transport. Carriers and ion channels modulate the proton motif force and catalyze uptake and vacuolar compartmentation of solutes and deposition of xenobiotics or secondary compounds such as flavonoids. ABC-type transporters directly energized by MgATP complement the transport portfolio that realizes the multiple functions in stress tolerance of plants.

Mimosa pudica, Dionaea muscipula and anesthetics

Some studies showed that anesthetics reduce the response of physical stimuli in Mimosa pudica and in Venus Flytrap (Dionaea muscipula), peculiar plants that have the ability to respond to touch stimuli. In this research we tested the effects of ketamine, lidocaine, diethyl ether, and amlodipine on the movements of Mimosa pudica and Venus Flytrap. With a literature review, we tried to bring elements to theorize about the interaction of these substances with these plants. The angular displacement in Mimosa´s petiole and in Dionaea leaves is what was measured to compare the drugs group with control groups.

Semi-rolled leaf1 encodes a putative glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored protein and modulates rice leaf rolling by regulating the formation of bulliform cells

Leaf rolling is an important agronomic trait in rice (Oryza sativa) breeding and moderate leaf rolling maintains the erectness of leaves and minimizes shadowing between leaves, leading to improved photosynthetic efficiency and grain yields. Although a few rolled-leaf mutants have been identified and some genes controlling leaf rolling have been isolated, the molecular mechanisms of leaf rolling still need to be elucidated. Here we report the isolation and characterization of SEMI-ROLLED LEAF1 (SRL1), a gene involved in the regulation of leaf rolling. Mutants srl1-1 (point mutation) and srl1-2 (transferred DNA insertion) exhibit adaxially rolled leaves due to the increased numbers of bulliform cells at the adaxial cell layers, which could be rescued by complementary expression of SRL1. SRL1 is expressed in various tissues and is expressed at low levels in bulliform cells. SRL1 protein is located at the plasma membrane and predicted to be a putative glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored protein. Moreover, analysis of the gene expression profile of cells that will become epidermal cells in wild type but probably bulliform cells in srl1-1 by laser-captured microdissection revealed that the expression of genes encoding vacuolar H(+)-ATPase (subunits A, B, C, and D) and H(+)-pyrophosphatase, which are increased during the formation of bulliform cells, were up-regulated in srl1-1. These results provide the transcript profile of rice leaf cells that will become bulliform cells and demonstrate that SRL1 regulates leaf rolling through inhibiting the formation of bulliform cells by negatively regulating the expression of genes encoding vacuolar H(+)-ATPase subunits and H(+)-pyrophosphatase, which will help to understand the mechanism regulating leaf rolling.

Roles of a putative mechanosensitive plasma membrane Ca2+-permeable channel OsMCA1 in generation of reactive oxygen species and hypo-osmotic signaling in rice

Mechanosensing and its downstream responses are speculated to involve sensory complexes containing Ca(2+)-permeable mechanosensitive channels. On recognizing hypo-osmotic stress, plant cells initiate activation of a widespread signal transduction network involving second messengers such as Ca(2+) to trigger inducible defense responses including the induction of transcriptional factors. However, most of the components involved in these signaling networks still remain to be identified. Recently we identified and investigated OsMCA1, the sole homolog of the MCA family putative Ca(2+)-permeable mechanosensitive channels in rice. Functional characterization of the OsMCA1-suppressed cells as well as the overexpressing cells indicated that OsMCA1 is involved in the regulation of plasma membrane Ca(2+) influx and NADPH oxidase-mediated generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by hypo-osmotic stress. Here we will discuss possible molecular mechanisms and physiological functions of the MCA protein in hypo-osmotic signaling.

Conserved genetic determinant of motor organ identity in Medicago truncatula and related legumes

Plants exhibit various kinds of movements that have fascinated scientists and the public for centuries. Physiological studies in plants with the so-called motor organ or pulvinus suggest that cells at opposite sides of the pulvinus mediate leaf or leaflet movements by swelling and shrinking. How motor organ identity is determined is unknown. Using a genetic approach, we isolated a mutant designated elongated petiolule1 (elp1) from Medicago truncatula that fails to fold its leaflets in the dark due to loss of motor organs. Map-based cloning indicated that ELP1 encodes a putative plant-specific LOB domain transcription factor. RNA in situ analysis revealed that ELP1 is expressed in primordial cells that give rise to the motor organ. Ectopic expression of ELP1 resulted in dwarf plants with petioles and rachises reduced in length, and the epidermal cells gained characteristics of motor organ epidermal cells. By identifying ELP1 orthologs from other legume species, namely pea (Pisum sativum) and Lotus japonicus, we show that this motor organ identity is regulated by a conserved molecular mechanism.

Plasma membrane H(+) -ATPase gene expression, protein level and activity in growing and non-growing regions of barley (Hordeum vulgare) leaves

Plasma membrane proton ATPase (PM-H⁺-ATPase) is the key means through which plant cells energize nutrient uptake and acidify the apoplast. Both of these processes aid cell elongation; yet, it is not known how such a suspected role of the PM-H⁺-ATPase in growth is reflected through changes in its transcript level and activity in grass leaves. In the present study on leaf three of barley, the elongation zone and the emerged blade, which contained fully expanded cells were analyzed. Plasma membranes were isolated and used to assay the activity (ATPase assay) and abundance (western blotting) of PM-H⁺-ATPase protein. Expression of mRNA was quantified using real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). PM-H⁺-ATPase transcript and protein level and activity differed little between growing and non-growing leaf regions when values were related to unit extracted total RNA and cell number, respectively. However, when values were related to unit surface area of plasma membrane, they were more than twice as high in growing compared with non-growing leaf tissue. It is concluded that this higher surface density of PM-H⁺-ATPase activity in growing barley leaf tissue aids apoplast acidification and cell expansion.

Plasma membrane protein OsMCA1 is involved in regulation of hypo-osmotic shock-induced Ca2+ influx and modulates generation of reactive oxygen species in cultured rice cells

BACKGROUND

Mechanosensing and its downstream responses are speculated to involve sensory complexes containing Ca2+-permeable mechanosensitive channels. On recognizing osmotic signals, plant cells initiate activation of a widespread signal transduction network that induces second messengers and triggers inducible defense responses. Characteristic early signaling events include Ca2+ influx, protein phosphorylation and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Pharmacological analyses show Ca2+ influx mediated by mechanosensitive Ca2+ channels to influence induction of osmotic signals, including ROS generation. However, molecular bases and regulatory mechanisms for early osmotic signaling events remain poorly elucidated.

RESULTS

We here identified and investigated OsMCA1, the sole rice homolog of putative Ca2+-permeable mechanosensitive channels in Arabidopsis (MCAs). OsMCA1 was specifically localized at the plasma membrane. A promoter-reporter assay suggested that OsMCA1 mRNA is widely expressed in seed embryos, proximal and apical regions of shoots, and mesophyll cells of leaves and roots in rice. Ca2+ uptake was enhanced in OsMCA1-overexpressing suspension-cultured cells, suggesting that OsMCA1 is involved in Ca2+ influx across the plasma membrane. Hypo-osmotic shock-induced ROS generation mediated by NADPH oxidases was also enhanced in OsMCA1-overexpressing cells. We also generated and characterized OsMCA1-RNAi transgenic plants and cultured cells; OsMCA1-suppressed plants showed retarded growth and shortened rachises, while OsMCA1-suppressed cells carrying Ca2+-sensitive photoprotein aequorin showed partially impaired changes in cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]cyt) induced by hypo-osmotic shock and trinitrophenol, an activator of mechanosensitive channels.

CONCLUSIONS

We have identified a sole MCA ortholog in the rice genome and developed both overexpression and suppression lines. Analyses of cultured cells with altered levels of this putative Ca2+-permeable mechanosensitive channel indicate that OsMCA1 is involved in regulation of plasma membrane Ca2+ influx and ROS generation induced by hypo-osmotic stress in cultured rice cells. These findings shed light on our understanding of mechanical sensing pathways.

Plants on the move: towards common mechanisms governing mechanically-induced plant movements

One may think that plants seem relatively immobile. Nevertheless, plants not only produce movement but these movements can be quite rapid such as the closing traps of carnivorous plants, the folding up of leaflets in some Leguminosae species and the movement of floral organs in order to increase cross pollination. We focus this review on thigmotropic and thigmonastic movements, both in vegetative and reproductive parts of higher plants. Ultrastructural studies revealed that most thigmotropic and thigmonastic movements are caused by differentially changing cell turgor within a given tissue. Auxin has emerged as a key molecule that modulates proton extrusion and thus causing changes in cell turgor by enhancing the activity of H(+)ATPase in cell membranes. Finding conserved molecules and/or operational molecular modules among diverse types of movements would help us to find universal mechanisms controlling movements in plants and thus improve our understanding about the evolution of such phenomena.

Circadian rhythm leaf movement of Phaseolus vulgaris and the role of calcium ions

Legume plants, due to their distinctive botanical characteristics, such as leaf movements, physiological characteristics, such as nitrogen fixation, and their abilities to endure environmental stresses, have important roles in sustainable pastures development. Leaf movement of legume plants is turgor regulated and osmotically active fluxes of ions between extensor and flexor of pulvinus cause this movement. To determine the role of calcium ions in circadian leaf movements of Phaseolus vulgaris L., a radiotracer technique experiment using 45Ca ions were employed. Measurements were taken during circadian leaf movements, and samples were taken from different parts of the leaflet. The 45Ca beta-particle activity reduced from leaflet base pulvinus to leaf tip. The pulvinus had the highest activity, while the leaf tip had the lowest. By increase of the ratio of 45Ca beta-particle activity within flexor to extensor (Fl/Ex) the midrib-petiole angle, as an indicator of leaf movement, increased linearly during circadian leaf movement (r = 0.86). The 45Ca beta-particle activity of Flex/Ext ratio reduced linearly (r = -0.88) toward midnight. In conclusion, it was found that calcium ions accumulation is opposite to the fluxes of osmatically active ions and water movement. Calcium ions accumulate at less negative water potential side of the pulivnus.

12-hydroxyjasmonic acid glucoside is a COI1-JAZ-independent activator of leaf-closing movement in Samanea saman

Jasmonates are ubiquitously occurring plant growth regulators with high structural diversity that mediate numerous developmental processes and stress responses. We have recently identified 12-O-β-D-glucopyranosyljasmonic acid as the bioactive metabolite, leaf-closing factor (LCF), which induced nyctinastic leaf closure of Samanea saman. We demonstrate that leaf closure of isolated Samanea pinnae is induced upon stereospecific recognition of (-)-LCF, but not by its enantiomer, (+)-ent-LCF, and that the nonglucosylated derivative, (-)-12-hydroxyjasmonic acid also displays weak activity. Similarly, rapid and cell type-specific shrinkage of extensor motor cell protoplasts was selectively initiated upon treatment with (-)-LCF, whereas flexor motor cell protoplasts did not respond. In these bioassays related to leaf movement, all other jasmonates tested were inactive, including jasmonic acid (JA) and the potent derivates JA-isoleucine and coronatine. By contrast, (-)-LCF and (-)-12-hydroxyjasmonic acid were completely inactive with respect to activation of typical JA responses, such as induction of JA-responsive genes LOX2 and OPCL1 in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) or accumulation of plant volatile organic compounds in S. saman and lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus), generally considered to be mediated by JA-isoleucine in a COI1-dependent fashion. Furthermore, application of selective inhibitors indicated that leaf movement in S. saman is mediated by rapid potassium fluxes initiated by opening of potassium-permeable channels. Collectively, our data point to the existence of at least two separate JA signaling pathways in S. saman and that 12-O-β-D-glucopyranosyljasmonic acid exerts its leaf-closing activity through a mechanism independent of the COI1-JAZ module.

Osmoregulation in Lilium pollen grains occurs via modulation of the plasma membrane H+ ATPase activity by 14-3-3 proteins

To allow successful germination and growth of a pollen tube, mature and dehydrated pollen grains (PGs) take up water and have to adjust their turgor pressure according to the water potential of the surrounding stigma surface. The turgor pressure of PGs of lily (Lilium longiflorum) was measured with a modified pressure probe for simultaneous recordings of turgor pressure and membrane potential to investigate the relation between water and electrogenic ion transport in osmoregulation. Upon hyperosmolar shock, the turgor pressure decreased, and the plasma membrane (PM) hyperpolarizes in parallel, whereas depolarization of the PM was observed with hypoosmolar treatment. An acidification and alkalinization of the external medium was monitored after hyper- and hypoosmotic treatments, respectively, and pH changes were blocked by vanadate, indicating a putative role of the PM H(+) ATPase. Indeed, an increase in PM-associated 14-3-3 proteins and an increase in PM H(+) ATPase activity were detected in PGs challenged by hyperosmolar medium. We therefore suggest that in PGs the PM H(+) ATPase via modulation of its activity by 14-3-3 proteins is involved in the regulation of turgor pressure.

Mechanical and electrical anisotropy in Mimosa pudica pulvini

Thigmonastic or seismonastic movements in Mimosa pudica, such as the response to touch, appear to be regulated by electrical, hydrodynamical, and chemical signal transduction. The pulvinus of Mimosa pudica shows elastic properties, and we found that electrically or mechanically induced movements of the petiole were accompanied by a change of the pulvinus shape. As the petiole falls, the volume of the lower part of the pulvinus decreases and the volume of the upper part increases due to the redistribution of water between the upper and lower parts of the pulvinus. This hydroelastic process is reversible. During the relaxation of the petiole, the volume of the lower part of the pulvinus increases and the volume of the upper part decreases. Redistribution of ions between the upper and lower parts of a pulvinus causes fast transport of water through aquaporins and causes a fast change in the volume of the motor cells. Here, the biologically closed electrochemical circuits in electrically and mechanically anisotropic pulvini of Mimosa pudica are analyzed using the charged capacitor method for electrostimulation at different voltages. Changing the polarity of electrodes leads to a strong rectification effect in a pulvinus and to different kinetics of a capacitor discharge if the applied initial voltage is 0.5 V or higher. The electrical properties of Mimosa pudica's pulvini were investigated and the equivalent electrical circuit within the pulvinus was proposed to explain the experimental data. The detailed mechanism of seismonastic movements in Mimosa pudica is discussed.

Glutamatergic elements in an excitability and circumnutation mechanism

In plants, an electrical potential and circumnutation disturbances are a part of a response to environmental and internal stimuli. Precise relations between electrical potential changes and circumnutation mechanisms are unclear. We have found recently that glutamate (Glu) injection into Helianthus annuus stem induced a series of action potentials (APs) and a transient decrease in circumnutation activity. A theoretical explanation for this finding is discussed here taking into considerations data about the ion mechanism of AP and circumnutation as well as about the metabolic and signaling pathways of glutamate and their possible interactions.

Molecular electronics in pinnae of Mimosa pudica

Bioelectrochemical circuits operate in all plants including the sensitive plant Mimosa pudica Linn. The activation of biologically closed circuits with voltage gated ion channels can lead to various mechanical, hydrodynamical, physiological, biochemical, and biophysical responses. Here the biologically closed electrochemical circuit in pinnae of Mimosa pudica is analyzed using the charged capacitor method for electrostimulation at different voltages. Also the equivalent electrical scheme of electrical signal transduction inside the plant's pinna is evaluated. These circuits remain linear at small potentials not exceeding 0.5 V. At higher potentials the circuits become strongly non-linear pointing to the opening of ion channels in plant tissues. Changing the polarity of electrodes leads to a strong rectification effect and to different kinetics of a capacitor. These effects can be caused by a redistribution of K(+), Cl(-), Ca(2+), and H(+) ions through voltage gated ion channels. The electrical properties of Mimosa pudica were investigated and equivalent electrical circuits within the pinnae were proposed to explain the experimental data.

Phototropism: mechanism and outcomes

Plants have evolved a wide variety of responses that allow them to adapt to the variable environmental conditions in which they find themselves growing. One such response is the phototropic response - the bending of a plant organ toward (stems and leaves) or away from (roots) a directional blue light source. Phototropism is one of several photoresponses of plants that afford mechanisms to alter their growth and development to changes in light intensity, quality and direction. Over recent decades much has been learned about the genetic, molecular and cell biological components involved in sensing and responding to phototropic stimuli. Many of these advances have been made through the utilization of Arabidopsis as a model for phototropic studies. Here we discuss such advances, as well as studies in other plant species where appropriate to the discussion of work in Arabidopsis.

Physiological functions of mineral micronutrients (Cu, Zn, Mn, Fe, Ni, Mo, B, Cl)

Micronutrients are involved in all metabolic and cellular functions. Plants differ in their need for micronutrients, and we will focus here only on those elements that are generally accepted as essential for all higher plants: boron (B), chloride (Cl), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), nickel (Ni), and zinc (Zn). Several of these elements are redox-active that makes them essential as catalytically active cofactors in enzymes, others have enzyme-activating functions, and yet others fulfill a structural role in stabilizing proteins. In this review, we focus on the major functions of mineral micronutrients, mostly in cases where they were shown as constituents of proteins, making a selection and highlighting some functions in more detail.

Actuation systems in plants as prototypes for bioinspired devices

Plants have evolved a multitude of mechanisms to actuate organ movement. The osmotic influx and efflux of water in living cells can cause a rapid movement of organs in a predetermined direction. Even dead tissue can be actuated by a swelling or drying of the plant cell walls. The deformation of the organ is controlled at different levels of tissue hierarchy by geometrical constraints at the micrometre level (e.g. cell shape and size) and cell wall polymer composition at the nanoscale (e.g. cellulose fibril orientation). This paper reviews different mechanisms of organ movement in plants and highlights recent research in the field. Particular attention is paid to systems that are activated without any metabolism. The design principles of such systems may be particularly useful for a biomimetic translation into active technical composites and moving devices.

Phosphatidylinositol (4,5)bisphosphate inhibits K+-efflux channel activity in NT1 tobacco cultured cells

In the animal world, the regulation of ion channels by phosphoinositides (PIs) has been investigated extensively, demonstrating a wide range of channels controlled by phosphatidylinositol (4,5)bisphosphate (PtdInsP2). To understand PI regulation of plant ion channels, we examined the in planta effect of PtdInsP2 on the K+-efflux channel of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum), NtORK (outward-rectifying K channel). We applied a patch clamp in the whole-cell configuration (with fixed "cytosolic" Ca2+ concentration and pH) to protoplasts isolated from cultured tobacco cells with genetically manipulated plasma membrane levels of PtdInsP2 and cellular inositol (1,4,5)trisphosphate: "Low PIs" had depressed levels of these PIs, and "High PIs" had elevated levels relative to controls. In all of these cells, K channel activity, reflected in the net, steady-state outward K+ currents (IK), was inversely related to the plasma membrane PtdInsP2 level. Consistent with this, short-term manipulations decreasing PtdInsP2 levels in the High PIs, such as pretreatment with the phytohormone abscisic acid (25 microM) or neutralizing the bath solution from pH 5.6 to pH 7, increased IK (i.e. NtORK activity). Moreover, increasing PtdInsP2 levels in controls or in abscisic acid-treated high-PI cells, using the specific PI-phospholipase C inhibitor U73122 (2.5-4 microM), decreased NtORK activity. In all cases, IK decreases stemmed largely from decreased maximum attainable NtORK channel conductance and partly from shifted voltage dependence of channel gating to more positive potentials, making it more difficult to activate the channels. These results are consistent with NtORK inhibition by the negatively charged PtdInsP2 in the internal plasma membrane leaflet. Such effects are likely to underlie PI signaling in intact plant cells.

Plant ion channels: gene families, physiology, and functional genomics analyses

Distinct potassium, anion, and calcium channels in the plasma membrane and vacuolar membrane of plant cells have been identified and characterized by patch clamping. Primarily owing to advances in Arabidopsis genetics and genomics, and yeast functional complementation, many of the corresponding genes have been identified. Recent advances in our understanding of ion channel genes that mediate signal transduction and ion transport are discussed here. Some plant ion channels, for example, ALMT and SLAC anion channel subunits, are unique. The majority of plant ion channel families exhibit homology to animal genes; such families include both hyperpolarization- and depolarization-activated Shaker-type potassium channels, CLC chloride transporters/channels, cyclic nucleotide-gated channels, and ionotropic glutamate receptor homologs. These plant ion channels offer unique opportunities to analyze the structural mechanisms and functions of ion channels. Here we review gene families of selected plant ion channel classes and discuss unique structure-function aspects and their physiological roles in plant cell signaling and transport.

Actin dynamics mediates the changes of calcium level during the pulvinus movement of Mimosa pudica

The bending movement of the pulvinus of Mimosa pudica is caused by a rapid change in volume of the abaxial motor cells, in response to various environmental stimuli. We investigated the relationship between the actin cytoskeleton and changes in the level of calcium during rapid contractile movement of the motor cells that was induced by electrical stimulation. The bending of the pulvinus was retarded by treatments with actin-affecting reagents and calcium channel inhibitors. The actin filaments in the motor cells were fragmented in response to electrical stimulation. Further investigations were performed using protoplasts from the motor cells of M. pudica pulvini. Calcium-channel inhibitors and EGTA had an inhibitory effect on contractile movement of the protoplasts. The level of calcium increased and became concentrated in the tannin vacuole after electrical stimulation. Ruthenium Red inhibited the increase in the level of calcium in the tannin vacuole and the contractile movement of the protoplasts. However, treatment with latrunculin A abolished the inhibitory effect of Ruthenium Red. Phalloidin inhibited the contractile movement and the increase in the level of calcium in the protoplasts. Our study demonstrates that depolymerization of the actin cytoskeleton in pulvinus motor cells in response to electrical signals results in increased levels of calcium.

Cellular mechanisms of potassium transport in plants

Potassium (K(+)) is the most abundant ion in the plant cell and is required for a wide array of functions, ranging from the maintenance of electrical potential gradients across cell membranes, to the generation of turgor, to the activation of numerous enzymes. The majority of these functions depend more or less directly upon the activities and regulation of membrane-bound K(+) transport proteins, operating over a wide range of K(+) concentrations. Here, we review the physiological aspects of potassium transport systems in the plasma membrane, re-examining fundamental problems in the field such as the distinctions between high- and low-affinity transport systems, the interactions between K(+) and other ions such as NH(4)(+) and Na(+), the regulation of cellular K(+) pools, the generation of electrical potentials and the problems involved in measurement of unidirectional K(+) fluxes. We place these discussions in the context of recent discoveries in the molecular biology of K(+) acquisition and produce an overview of gene families encoding K(+) transporters.