Ammonium Uptake by Rice Roots (III. Electrophysiology).
The transmembrane electrical potential differences ([delta][psi]) were measured in epidermal and cortical cells of intact roots of 3-week-old rice (Oryza sativa L. cv M202) seedlings grown in 2 or 100 [mu]M NH4+ (G2 or G100 plants, respectively). In modified Johnson's nutrient solution containing no nitrogen, [delta][psi] was in the range of -120 to -140 mV. Introducing NH4+ to the bathing medium caused a rapid depolarization. At the steady state, average [delta][psi] of G2 and G100 plants were -116 and -89 mV, respectively. This depolarization exhibited a biphasic response to external NH4+ concentration similar to that reported for 13NH4+ influx isotherms (M.Y. Wang, M.Y. Siddiqi, T.J. Ruth, A.D.M. Glass [1993] Plant Physiol 103: 1259-1267). Plots of membrane depolarization versus 13NH4+ influx were also biphasic, indicating distinct coupling processes for the two transport systems, with a breakpoint between two concentration ranges around 1 mM NH4+. The extent of depolarization was also influenced by nitrogen status, which was larger for G2 plants than for G100 plants. Depolarization of [delta][psi] due to NH4+ uptake was eliminated by a protonophore (carboxylcyanide-m-chlorophenylhydrazone), inhibitors of ATP synthesis (sodium cyanide plus salicylhydroxamic acid), or an ATPase inhibitor (diethylstilbestrol). The results of these observations are discussed in the context of the mechanisms of NH4+ uptake by high- and low-affinity transport systems operating across the plasma membranes of root cells.
Wang
M. Y.
MY
Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 1Z4 (M.Y.W., A.D.M.G.).
Glass
ADM.
A
Shaff
J. E.
JE
Kochian
L. V.
LV