A probable Na+(K+)/H+ exchanger on the chloroplast envelope functions in pH homeostasis and chloroplast development in Arabidopsis thaliana.
Electroneutral monovalent cation/proton antiport across the chloroplast envelope has been shown previously to have an important regulatory effect on stromal pH and thereby on photosynthetic carbon reduction. Here we report that an Arabidopsis nuclear gene, AtCHX23, encodes a putative Na(+)(K(+))/H(+) exchanger and functions in the adjustment of pH in the cytosol and possibly in maintaining a high pH level in the chloroplast stroma. The AtCHX23 protein is localized in the chloroplast envelope. Plastids from chx23 mutants had straight thylakoids but lacked grana lamellae. chx23 mutant leaves were pale yellow and had a much reduced chlorophyll content. The chlorophyll content of chx23 was increased by growing in medium at low (4.0) pH and decreased by growing at high (7.0) pH. The cytosolic pH in the leaves of the mutant was significantly higher than that in the wild type. chx23 mutants displayed a high sensitivity to NaCl. Together, these data indicate that CHX23 is a probable chloroplast Na(+)(K(+))/H(+) exchanger important for pH homeostasis and chloroplast development and function.
Song
Chun-Peng
CP
Department of Plant Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, 85721, USA.
Guo
Yan
Y
Qiu
Quansheng
Q
Lambert
Georgina
G
Galbraith
David W
DW
Jagendorf
André
A
Zhu
Jian-Kang
JK
D017920:Antiporters / Q000502:physiology*; D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000378:metabolism*; D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D002734:Chlorophyll / Q000096:biosynthesis; D002736:Chloroplasts / Q000378:metabolism*; D006706:Homeostasis; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D011189:Potassium Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology; D027961:Potassium-Hydrogen Antiporters / Q000502:physiology*; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology; D017923:Sodium-Hydrogen Exchangers / Q000502:physiology*
D017920:Antiporters; D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins; C571438:CHX23 protein, Arabidopsis; D027961:Potassium-Hydrogen Antiporters; D017923:Sodium-Hydrogen Exchangers; D002734:Chlorophyll; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D011189:Potassium Chloride