Is the ionophorous action inherent in phosphatidic acid as a possible basis for its mediator function in intracellular signal transduction?

Abstract

This work is critical analysis of the literature data providing, by author opinion, evidence for an ability of phosphatidic acid (PA) to facilitated transfer of Ca2+ and H+ ions through plant cell membranes as a possible basis for realization of its known mediator function in intracellular signal transduction. Taking into account a number of arguments author of the present work led to the conclusion that the data under consideration do not provide sufficient grounds to believe that PA is capable of carrying out the ionophorous function. In addition it was shown that the opinion of supporters of the “PA ionophorous function” concept is not in accordance with many results of other studies arguing in favor of the interaction of PA with specific effector proteins including the cell membrane ion channels catalyzing transmembrane transport of Ca2+ and other cations and thereby being responsible for calcium signal generation, the effect as known capable of being induced by PA.