Gradient NMR Method for Studies of Water Translational Diffusion in Plants.

Alexander Anisimov

doi:10.3390/membranes11070487

Abstract

The review of a retrospective nature shows the stages of development of the spin-echo NMR method with constant and pulsed gradient of the magnetic field (gradient NMR) for the study of water diffusion in plant roots. The history of the initial use of gradient NMR for plants, in which it was not possible to experimentally confirm the bound state of water in cells, is described. The work presents the main ideas on which the technology of measuring diffusion by the spin-echo NMR method is built. Special attention is paid to the manifestations and record of the restricted diffusion phenomenon, permeability of membranes, along with the finite formulae used in real experiments. As examples, it gives the non-trivial results of studies of water transfer in roots through the symplastic system, from cell to cell through intercellular contacts with plasmodesmata, through aquaporins, transfer under the influence of changes in external pressure, and the composition of the gas atmosphere.

Highlights

Despite the considerable amount of information on the condition and transport of water in plants, overall information on certain sections and even key issues remains limited
Experimental results of the gradient nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), which demonstrate the transfer of water through the root symplast, gave a new look at the problem of long-distance transport in the compromised model, where part of the flow is provided by the vascular system and the other part is provided by symplast
As applied to the study of plants, the unique opportunities of gradient NMR were manifested in the study of water transport through the symplastic system of plants

Summary

Introduction

Despite the considerable amount of information on the condition and transport of water in plants, overall information on certain sections and even key issues remains limited. One reason lies in the limited number of methods adequate for the heterogeneous dynamic structure of living systems. In this regard, the spin-echo NMR method brings a fresh stream into the informative flow on the problem of water exchange, being largely adequate both for the problem and the object of research. 2. Prerequisites for Applying Spin-Echo NMR Method to Studies of Water Condition and Transport in Plants 2.1.

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Conclusion