title: Transport systems of Ventricaria ventricosa: I/V analysis of both membranes in series as a function of [K(+)](o).
abstract: The current-voltage (I/V) profiles of Ventricaria (formerly Valonia) membranes were measured at a range of external potassium concentrations, [K(+)](o), from 0.1 to 100 mm. The conductance-voltage (G/V) characteristics were computed to facilitate better resolution of the profile change with time after exposure to different [K(+)](o). The resistance-voltage (R/V) characteristics were computed to attempt resolution of plasmalemma and tonoplast. Four basic electrophysiological stages emerged: (1) Uniform low resistance between -60 and +60 mV after the cell impalement. (2) High resistance between +50 and +150 for [K(+)](o) from 0.1 to 1.0 mm and hypotonic media. (3) High resistance between -150 and -20 mV for [K(+)](o) of 10 mm (close to natural seawater) and hypertonic media. (4) High resistance between -150 and +170 mV at [K(+)](o) of 100 mm. The changes between these states were slow, requiring minutes to hours and sometimes exhibiting spontaneous oscillations of the membrane p.d. (potential difference). Our analysis of the I/V data supports a previous hypothesis, that Ventricaria tonoplast is the more resistive membrane containing a pump, which transports K(+) into the vacuole to regulate turgor. We associate state (1) with the plasmalemma conductance being dominant and the K(+) pump at the tonoplast short-circuited probably by a K(+) channel, state (2) with the K(+) pump "off" or short-circuited at p.d.s more negative than +50 mV, state (3) with the K(+) pump "on, " and state (4) with the pump dominant, but affected by high K(+). A model for the Ventricaria membrane system is proposed.
authors.affiliation: Biophysics Department, School of Physics, University of New South Wales, Sydney 2052, Australia.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Beilby
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Bisson
mesh_terms: D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism*; D056890:Eukaryota / Q000378:metabolism*; D017136:Ion Transport; D007700:Kinetics; D008564:Membrane Potentials; D008954:Models, Biological; D009997:Osmotic Pressure; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism*; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000378:metabolism; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015221:Potassium Channels; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase; D011188:Potassium