A confocal technique applicable to studies of cellular pH-related signaling in plants

Abscission of flowers and floral organs is closely associated with alkalization of the cytosol in abscission zone cells

In vivo changes in the cytosolic pH of abscission zone (AZ) cells were visualized using confocal microscopic detection of the fluorescent pH-sensitive and intracellularly trapped dye, 2',7'-bis-(2-carboxyethyl)-5(and-6)-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF), driven by its acetoxymethyl ester. A specific and gradual increase in the cytosolic pH of AZ cells was observed during natural abscission of flower organs in Arabidopsis thaliana and wild rocket (Diplotaxis tenuifolia), and during flower pedicel abscission induced by flower removal in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum Mill). The alkalization pattern in the first two species paralleled the acceleration or inhibition of flower organ abscission induced by ethylene or its inhibitor 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), respectively. Similarly, 1-MCP pre-treatment of tomato inflorescence explants abolished the pH increase in AZ cells and pedicel abscission induced by flower removal. Examination of the pH changes in the AZ cells of Arabidopsis mutants defective in both ethylene-induced (ctr1, ein2, eto4) and ethylene-independent (ida, nev7, dab5) abscission pathways confirmed these results. The data indicate that the pH changes in the AZ cells are part of both the ethylene-sensitive and -insensitive abscission pathways, and occur concomitantly with the execution of organ abscission. pH can affect enzymatic activities and/or act as a signal for gene expression. Changes in pH during abscission could occur via regulation of transporters in AZ cells, which might affect cytosolic pH. Indeed, four genes associated with pH regulation, vacuolar H(+)-ATPase, putative high-affinity nitrate transporter, and two GTP-binding proteins, were specifically up-regulated in tomato flower AZ following abscission induction, and 1-MCP reduced or abolished the increased expression.

Transport of ABA from the site of biosynthesis to the site of action

There is substantial evidence that abscisic acid (ABA) moves within plants. ABA has been considered as a root-derived signaling molecule that induces stomatal closure in response to dry soil conditions. It has been also reported that ABA synthesized in vegetative tissues is translocated to the seeds. The transport of ABA is an important factor in determining the endogenous concentrations of the hormone at the site of action, and hence, it is an important process in physiological responses. However, the molecular mechanisms that regulate ABA transport are not fully understood. Recent studies using Arabidopsis indicate that ABA is actively synthesized in leaf vascular tissues in response to drought, and that ABA is subsequently transported to the guard cells to close stomata. Identification of the transporters that mediate ABA export from the inside to the outside of the cells at the site of ABA biosynthesis (vascular tissues) and ABA uptake into the cells at the site of action (guard cells), respectively, in this species indicates an active mechanism to regulate ABA transport. Although Arabidopsis represents only one model plant, these findings are useful to discuss common or different regulatory mechanisms among different species and to improve our total understanding of the regulation of ABA transport.