Millimolar CaCl Research Articles

Characterization of Capsicum annuum Recombinant α- and β-Tubulin

There are several conditions which might modulate polymerization to produce polymers having normal lattice structure. In the absence of 1 mM MgCl(2) the assembly was reduced by 36% in Capsicum annuum tubulin (CAnm tubulin). There was no significant difference in the final assembly formation in the presence of 5% to 10% glycerol. However, nucleation rate was slow and apparent study state was achieved lately in the presence of 10% glycerol. Taxol at 100 microM concentration increased 23% tubulin assembly. One millimolar CaCl(2), >or=1% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and physiologically low temperature reduced CAnm tubulin assembly. A value of 0.089 mg/ml was obtained as critical concentration for polymerization. Benomyl significantly reduced the number of cysteine residues accessible to 5,5'-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid); there were 4.77 +/- 0.21 and 3.49 +/- 0.35 residues accessible per tubulin dimer in the presence of 50 and 100 microM benomyl respectively.

Effects of NaCl and CaCl2 on Water Transport across Root Cells of Maize (Zea mays L.) Seedlings

The effect of salinity and calcium levels on water flows and on hydraulic parameters of individual cortical cells of excised roots of young maize (Zea mays L. cv Halamish) plants have been measured using the cell pressure probe. Maize seedlings were grown in one-third strength Hoagland solution modified by additions of NaCl and/or extra calcium so that the seedlings received one of four treatments: control; +100 millimolar NaCl; +10 millimolar CaCl(2); +100 millimolar NaCl + 10 millimolar CaCl(2). From the hydrostatic and osmotic relaxations of turgor, the hydraulic conductivity (Lp) and the reflection coefficient (sigma(s)) of cortical cells of different root layers were determined. Mean Lp values in the different layers (first to third, fourth to sixth, seventh to ninth) of the four different treatments ranged from 11.8 to 14.5 (Control), 2.5 to 3.8 (+NaCl), 6.9 to 8.7 (+CaCl(2)), and 6.6 to 7.2 . 10(-7) meter per second per megapascal (+NaCl + CaCl(2)). These results indicate that salinization of the growth media at regular calcium levels (0.5 millimolar) decreased Lp significantly (three to six times). The addition of extra calcium (10 millimolar) to the salinized media produced compensating effects. Mean cell sigma(s) values of NaCl ranged from 1.08 to 1.16, 1.15 to 1.22, 0.94 to 1.00, and 1.32 to 1.46 in different root cell layers of the four different treatments, respectively. Some of these sigma(s) values were probably overestimated due to an underestimation of the elastic modulus of cells, sigma(s) values of close to unity were in line with the fact that root cell membranes were practically not permeable to NaCl. However, the root cylinder exhibited some permeability to NaCl as was demonstrated by the root pressure probe measurements that resulted in sigma(sr) of less than unity. Compared with the controls, salinity and calcium increased the root cell diameter. Salinized seedlings grown at regular calcium levels resulted in shorter cell length compared with control (by a factor of 2). The results demonstrate that NaCl has adverse effects on water transport parameters of root cells. Extra calcium could, in part, compensate for these effects. The data suggest a considerable apoplasmic water flow in the root cortex. However, the cell-to-cell path also contributed to the overall water transport in maize roots and appeared to be responsible for the decrease in root hydraulic conductivity reported earlier (Azaizeh H, Steudle E [1991] Plant Physiol 97: 1136-1145). Accordingly, the effect of high salinity on the cell Lp was much larger than that on root Lp(r).

Effect of Cold Treatments on the Binding Stability of Photosystem II Extrinsic Proteins and an Associated Increase in Susceptibility to Photoinhibition

When pea plants (Pisum sativum L. cv Feltham First) are subjected to freezing conditions (-18 degrees C) followed by a thaw to 18 degrees C, there is a significant inhibition of water-splitting capacity judged by the rate of light-induced reduction of 2,6-dichlorophenol indophenol using isolated thylakoid membrane fragments enriched in photosystem II (PSII). The freeze-thaw-induced inhibition of water-splitting activity has been correlated with the loss of the 17- and 23-kilodalton extrinsic protein of PSII and with a weakening of the binding of the 33-kilodalton protein. There was no apparent loss of bound manganese. Addition of 10 millimolar CaCl(2), however, allowed a full recovery of the water-splitting activity of these modified PSII-enriched particles. The freeze-thaw-induced changes in the organization and functional capacity of PSII was found to increase its susceptibility to photoinhibition in agreement with the concepts presented in the accompanying paper, that oxidative damage can occur within the PSII reaction center as a consequence of extending the lifetime of P680(+).

Sugar Concentrations in Guard Cells of Vicia faba Illuminated with Red or Blue Light

Concentrations of soluble sugars in guard cells in detached, sonicated epidermis from Vicia faba leaves were analyzed quantitatively by high performance liquid chromatography to determine the extent to which sugars could contribute to changes in the osmotic potentials of guard cells during stomatal opening. Stomata were illuminated over a period of 4 hours with saturating levels of red or blue light, or a combination of red and blue light. When stomata were irradiated for 3 hours with red light (50 micromoles per square meter per second) in a solution of 5 millimolar KCl and 0.1 millimolar CaCl(2), stomatal apertures increased a net maximum of 6.7 micrometers and the concentration of total soluble sugar was 289 femtomoles per guard cell (70% sucrose, 30% fructose). In an identical solution, 2.5 hours of irradiation with 25 micromoles per square meter per second of blue light caused a maximum net increase of 7.1 micrometers in stomatal aperture and the total soluble sugar concentration was 550 femtomoles per guard cell (91% sucrose, 9% fructose). Illumination with blue light at 25 micromoles per square meter per second in a solution lacking KCl caused a maximum net increase in stomatal aperture of 3.5 micrometers and the sugar concentration was 382 femtomoles per guard cell (82% sucrose, 18% fructose). In dual beam experiments, stomata irradiated with 50 micromoles per square meter per second of red light opened steadily with a concomitant increase in sugar production. Addition of 25 micromoles per square meter per second of blue light caused a further net gain of 3.7 micrometers in stomatal aperture and, after 2 hours, sugar concentrations had increased by an additional 138 femtomoles per guard cell. Experiments with 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (DCMU) were performed with epidermis illuminated with 50 micromoles per square meter per second of red light or with 25 micromoles per square meter per second of blue light in solutions containing or lacking KCl. DCMU completely inhibited sugar production under red light, had no effect on guard cell sugar production under blue light when KCl was present, and inhibited sugar production by about 50% when guard cells were illuminated with blue light in solutions lacking KCl. We conclude that soluble sugars can contribute significantly to the osmoregulation of guard cells in detached leaf epidermis of V. faba. These results are consistent with the operation of two different sugar-producing pathways in guard cells: a photosynthetic carbon reduction pathway and a pathway of blue light-induced starch degradation.

Gradients of Turgor, Osmotic Pressure, and Water Potential in the Cortex of the Hypocotyl of Growing Ricinus Seedlings

To evaluate the possible role of solute transport during extension growth, water and solute relations of cortex cells of the growing hypocotyl of 5-day-old castor bean seedlings (Ricinus communis L.) were determined using the cell pressure probe. Because the osmotic pressure of individual cells (pi(i)) was also determined, the water potential (psi) could be evaluated as well at the cell level. In the rapidly growing part of the hypocotyl of well-watered plants, turgor increased from 0.37 megapascal in the outer to 1.04 megapascal in the inner cortex. Thus, there were steep gradients of turgor of up to 0.7 megapascal (7 bar) over a distance of only 470 micrometer. In the more basal and rather mature region, gradients were less pronounced. Because cell turgor approximately pi(i) and psi approximately 0 across the cortex, there were also no gradients of psi across the tissue. Gradients of cell turgor and pi(i) increased when the endosperm was removed from the cotyledons, allowing for a better water supply. They were reduced by increasing the osmotic pressure of the root medium or by cutting off the cotyledons or the entire hook. If the root was excised to interrupt the main source for water, effects became more pronounced. Gradients completely disappeared and turgor fell to 0.3 megapascal in all layers within 1.5 hours. When excised hypocotyls were infiltrated with 0.5 millimolar CaCl(2) solution under pressure via the cut surface, gradients in turgor could be restored or even increased. When turgor was measured in individual cortical cells while pressurizing the xylem, rapid responses were recorded and changes of turgor exceeded that of applied pressure. Gradients could also be reestablished in excised hypocotyls by abrading the cuticle, allowing for a water supply from the wet environment. The steep gradients of turgor and osmotic pressure suggest a considerable supply of osmotic solutes from the phloem to the growing tissue. On the basis of a new theoretical approach, the data are discussed in terms of a coupling between water and solute flows and of a compartmentation of water and solutes, both of which affect water status and extension growth.

Effects of Salinity on Water Transport of Excised Maize (Zea mays L.) Roots

The root pressure probe was used to determine the effects of salinity on the hydraulic properties of primary roots of maize (Zea mays L. cv Halamish). Maize seedlings were grown in nutrient solutions modified by additions of NaCl and/or extra CaCl(2) so that the seedlings received one of four treatments: Control, plus 100 millimolar NaCl, plus 10 millimolar CaCl(2), plus 100 millimolar NaCl plus 10 millimolar CaCl(2). The hydraulic conductivities (Lp(r)) of primary root segments were determined by applying gradients of hydrostatic and osmotic pressure across the root cylinder. Exosmotic hydrostatic Lp(r) for the different treatments were 2.8, 1.7, 2.8, and 3.4.10(-7) meters per second per megapascals and the endosmotic hydrostatic Lp(r) were 2.4, 1.5, 2.7, and 2.3.10(-7) meters per second per megapascals, respectively. Exosmotic Lp(r) of the osmotic experiments were 0.55, 0.38, 0.68, and 0.60.10(-7) meters per second per megapascals and the endosmotic Lp(r) were 0.53, 0.21, 0.56, and 0.54.10(-7) meters per second per megapascals, respectively. The osmotic Lp(r) was significantly smaller (4-5 times) than hydrostatic Lp(r). However, both hydrostatic and osmotic Lp(r) experiments showed that salinization of the growth media at regular (0.5 millimolar) calcium levels decreased the Lp(r) significantly (30-60%). Addition of extra calcium (10 millimolar) to the salinized media caused ameliorative effects on Lp(r). The low Lp(r) values may partially explain the reduction in root growth rates caused by salinity. High calcium levels in the salinized media increased the relative availability of water needed for growth. The mean reflection coefficients of the roots using NaCl were between 0.64 and 0.73 and were not significantly different for the different treatments. The mean values of the root permeability coefficients to NaCl of the different treatments were between 2.2 and 3.5.10(-9) meters per second and were significantly different only in one of four treatments. Cutting the roots successively from the tip and measuring the changes in the hydraulic resistance of the root as well as staining of root cross-sections obtained at various distances from the root tip revealed that salinized roots had mature xylem elements closer to the tip (5-10 millimeters) compared with the controls (30 millimeters). Our results demonstrate that salinity has adverse effects on water transport and that extra calcium can, in part, compensate for these effects.

Quantification of Apoplastic Potassium Content by Elution Analysis of Leaf Lamina Tissue from Pea (Pisum sativum L. cv Argenteum)

K(+) content and concentration within the apoplast of mesophyll tissue of pea (Pisum sativum L., cv Argenteum) leaflets were determined using an elution procedure. Following removal of the epidermis, a 1 centimeter (inside diameter) glass cylinder was attached to the exposed mesophyll tissue and filled with 5 millimolar CaCl(2) solution (1 degrees C). From time-course curves of cumulative K(+) diffusion from the tissue, the amount of K(+) of extracellular origin was estimated. Apoplastic K(+) contents for leaves from plants cultured in nutrient solution containing 2 or 10 millimolar K(+) were found to range from 1 to 4.5 micromoles per gram fresh weight, comprising less than 3% of the total K(+) content within the lamina tissue. Assuming an apoplastic solution volume of 0.04 to 0.1 milliliters per gram fresh weight and a Donnan cation exchange capacity of 2.63 micromoles per gram fresh weight (experimentally determined), the K(+) concentration within apoplastic solution was estimated at 2.4 to 11.8 millimolar. Net movement of Rb(+) label from the extracellular compartment within mesophyll tissue into the symplast was demonstrated by pulse-chase experiments. It was concluded that the mesophyll apoplast in pea has a relatively low capacitance as an ion reservoir. Apoplastic K(+) content was found to be highly sensitive to changes in xylem solution concentration.

Phosphatidylethanolamine Synthesis by Castor Bean Endosperm

A base exchange reaction for synthesis of phosphatidylethanolamine by the endoplasmic reticulum of castor bean (Ricinus comminus L. var Hale) endosperm has been examined. The calculated Michaelis-Menten constant of the enzyme for ethanolamine was 5 micromolar and the optimal pH was 7.8 in the presence of 2 millimolar CaCl(2). l-Serine, N-methylethanolamine and N,N-dimethylethanolamine all reduced ethanolamine incorporation, while d-serine and myo-inositol had little effect. These inhibitions of ethanolamine incorporation were found to be noncompetitive and ethanolamine also noncompetitively inhibited l-serine incorporation by exchange. The activity of the ethanolamine base exchange enzyme was affected by several detergents, with the best activity being obtained with the zwitterionic defjtergent 3-3-cholamidopropyl) dimethylammonio-2-hydroxyl-1-propanesulfonate.

Evidence for and Subcellular Localization of a Ca-Stimulated Phospholipase D from Maize Roots

Autolytic lipid changes in corn (Zea mays L.) root crude homogenates and isolated membranes were examined by the use of high performance thin-layer chromatography. In the absence of added CaCl(2), losses in phosphatidylcholine and other phospholipids corresponds to increase in fatty acids without the accumulation of either phosphatidic acid or lyso-phosphatidylcholine. However, in the presence of 1 millimolar CaCl(2), phosphatidylcholine concentrations declined more rapidly with an immediate increase in phoshatidic acid, and slower rate of fatty acid accumulation. Autolytic phospholipid degradation yielded primarily free fatty acids in the absence of Ca and phosphatidic acid in the presence of 1 millimolar CaCl(2), suggesting the presence of an acyl hydrolase and phospholipase D activities. Differential centrifugation studies indicate that 50 to 80% of the crude homogenate's phospholipase D activity is membrane-bound. Density centrifugation experiments suggest that the membrane-bound phospholipase D activity is localized primarily on mitochondrial membranes.

Isolation of Guard Cell Protoplasts from Mechanically Prepared Epidermis of Vicia faba Leaves

A method for isolating guard cell protoplasts (GCP) from mechanically prepared epidermis of Vicia faba is described. Epidermis was prepared by homogenizing leaves in a Waring blender in a solution of 10% Ficoll, 5 millimolar CaCl(2), and 0.1% polyvinylpyrrolidone 40 (PVP). Attached mesophyll and epidermal cells were removed by shaking epidermis in a solution of Cellulysin, mannitol, CaCl(2), PVP, and pepstatin A. Cleaned epidermis was transferred to a solution of mannitol, CaCl(2), PVP, pepstatin A, cellulase "Onozuka" RS, and pectolyase Y-23 for the isolation of GCP. Preparations made by this method included both adaxial and abaxial GCP and contained </=0.017% mesophyll protoplasts, </=0.6% mesophyll fragments, and no epidermal cell contaminants. Yields averaged 9 x 10(4) protoplasts/leaflet and 98 to 100% of the GCP excluded trypan blue, concentrated neutral red, and hydrolyzed fluorescein diacetate. Isolated GCP increased in diameter by 2.2 micrometers after incubation in darkness in 10 micromolar fusicoccin, 0.4 molar mannitol, 5 millimolar KCl, and 1 millimolar CaCl(2). Illumination of GCP with 800 micromoles per square meter per second of red light resulted in alkalinization of their suspension medium. When 10 micromolar per square meter per second of blue light was superimposed onto the red light background, the medium acidified. Measurements of chlorophyll a fast fluorescence transients from isolated GCP indicated that GCP were capable of electron transport, and slow transients contained the "M" peak usually associated with a functional photosynthetic carbon reduction pathway.

Intact Chloroplasts Show Ca2+-Gated Switching between Localized and Delocalized Proton Gradient Energy Coupling (ATP Formation)

Intact chloroplasts were compared to isolated thylakoids as to whether storage of the organelle in high KCl medium caused the energy coupling reactions to show a delocalized or a localized proton gradient energy coupling response. With isolated thylakoids, the occurrence of one or the other energy coupling mode can be reversibly controlled by the concentration of mono- and divalent cations used for the thylakoid storage media. Calcium was shown to be the key ion and previous evidence suggested a Ca(2+)-controlled gating of H(+) fluxes in the thylakoid membrane system (G Chiang, RA Dilley [1987] Biochemistry 26: 4911-4916). Isolated, intact chloroplasts, which retained the outer envelope membranes during the 30 min or longer storage treatments in various concentrations of KCl and CaCl(2) (with sorbitol to maintain iso-osmotic conditions), were osmotically burst in a reaction cuvette and within 3 minutes were assayed for either a localized or a delocalized proton gradient energy coupling (ATP formation) mode. The intact chloroplast system was analogous to isolated thylakoids, with regard to the effects of KCl and CaCl(2) on the energy coupling mode. For example, adding 100 millimolar KCl to the intact organelle storage medium resulted in the subsequent ATP formation assay showing delocalized proton gradient coupling just as with isolated thylakoids. Adding 5 millimolar CaCl(2) to the 100 millimolar KCl storage medium resulted in a localized proton gradient coupling mode. Suspending thylakoids in stromal material previously isolated from intact chloroplast preparations and testing the energy coupling response showed that the stromal milieu has enough Ca(2+) to cause the localized coupling response even though there was about 80 millimolar K(+) in the intact chloroplasts used in this study (determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry). Extrapolating the intact chloroplast data to the whole leaf level, we suggest that proton gradient energy coupling is normally of the localized mode, but under certain conditions it could be either localized or delocalized, depending on factors that affect the putative Ca(2+)-regulated proton flux gating function.

Regulation of Apoplastic pH in Source Leaves of Vicia faba by Gibberellic Acid

Leaf discs of broad bean (Vicia faba L.), peeled on the spongy mesophyll side, rapidly altered the pH of the surrounding medium (apoplast). Using pH indicator paper appressed against the leaf, immediately after peeling, initial apoplastic pH was estimated to be 4.5. Changes in the apoplastic pH were measured with a microelectrode placed into a 100-microliter drop of an unbuffered solution (2 millimolar KCl, 0.5 millimolar CaCl(2), and 200 millimolar mannitol) on the peeled surface. Discs acidified the medium until the pH stabilized at about 5.0 (about 10 minutes). Acidification was inhibited by 50 micromolar sodium vanadate, an inhibitor of the plasmalemma H(+)-ATPase and attenuated by omitting the osmoticum or potassium ions from the medium. Fusicoccin (10 micromolar) greatly enhanced the rate of acidification. The presence of 0.1 to 1 micromolar gibberellic acid resulted in a slower rate of medium acidification. Gibberellic acid appeared to modulate the activity of the H(+)-translocating ATPase located at the plasma membrane of the mesophyll cells.

Effects of La3+ on Surface Charges, Dielectrophoresis, and Electrofusion of Barley Protoplasts

When dielectrophoresis and electrofusion of barley (Hordeum vulgare var Moor) leaf protoplasts were assayed in the presence of 0.1 to 1 millimolar lanthanum ion (La(3+)) in the basal medium (0.7 molar mannitol, 1 millimolar piperazine-N, N-bis[2-ethanesulfonic acid]-Na [pH 6.7], 0.1 millimolar CaCl(2)), dielectrophoresis and induction of electrofusion were strongly inhibited. The latter remained inhibited and the former recovered by about 60% after washing the La(3+) -treated protoplasts without EDTA. These inhibitions were almost completely abolished by washing the La(3+) -treated protoplasts with 1 millimolar EDTA. Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopic analysis revealed that protoplasts retained a considerable amount of La(3+) after washing without EDTA and released most of the bound La(3+) by washing with 1 millimolar EDTA. This tightly bound La(3+) seemed responsible for the inhibition of electrofusion and dielectrophoresis that was observed in the La(3+) -treated protoplasts after washing. zeta-potentials of protoplasts were -39.0+/-3.2 millivolts, -16.7 +/- 2.6 millivolts, and virtually zero in media containing 0, 0.1, and 0.3 millimolar La(3+) (I = 7.2 millimolar), respectively, and had a positive value (+ 14.2 +/- 2.2 millivolts) in the presence of 1 millimolar La(3+). These effects of La(3+) on zeta-potentials were easily abolished by washing without EDTA. This indicates that charged species located at the surface of plasma membrane of protoplasts cannot account for the sites at which La(3+) exerts its inhibition of dielectrophoresis and electrofusion. In contrast, the promotion of spherical fusion and the reduction of broken fusion products observed in the presence of La(3+) were almost completely abolished by washing without EDTA. Our results also indicate that the initial induction and development of electrofusion can be studied independently.

Compartmental Efflux Analysis and Removal of Extracellular Cadmium from Roots

Profiles of (109)Cd efflux from roots into three solutions were determined for young intact plants of Agrostis gigantea and maize. The solutions were (a) nutrient culture medium containing 3 micromolar Cd at room temperature, (b) ice-cold 5 millimolar CaCl(2), and (c) ice-cold 5 millimolar PbCl(2). Efflux profiles were clearly resolved into three easily discernible components having fast, medium, and slow exchange rates. These results were unexpected for the situation where some intracellular Cd was present both as extractable Cd-binding peptide and in electron-dense granules within the cytoplasm and the vacuoles. Adding a fourth compartment to the curve-fitting model produced a splitting of the fast exchanging component. Use of these efflux kinetics to estimate Cd fluxes through membranes was inappropriate. However, they were useful in determining optimal washing times for the removal of extracellular Cd. A 10 minute wash in ice-cold 5 millimolar CaCl(2) is recommended for this purpose for Agrostis and maize roots.

Effects of Prostaglandins E2 and F2α on the Electrofusion of Pea Mesophyll Protoplasts

The effects of prostaglandins E(2) and F(2alpha) on the electrofusion of pea (Pisum sativum cv Ran 1) mesophyll protoplasts were examined. Prostaglandins E(2) and F(2alpha) influenced electrofusion by lowering the threshold voltage necessary for fusion of dielectrophoretically arranged pairs of protoplasts. The direct current voltage threshold decreased with increasing Ca(2+) concentration up to 0.1 millimolar CaCl(2) and the effects of prostaglandins E(2) and F(2alpha) were more pronounced when CaCl(2) was present in the medium. Treatment with calcium channel blocker methoxy verapamil did not change the prostaglandin effects, while the addition of ethyleneglycol-bis (beta-aminoethyl either)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid, which binds free Ca(2+), increased the threshold voltage. Influence of prostaglandins E(2) and F(2alpha) and Ca(2+) on the membrane fluidity was investigated by analysis of pyrene fluorescence spectra. The values of the ratio between the maximum fluorescence emission intensities of the excimer and the monomer forms (I(ex)/I(mon)) indicated that prostaglandins and Ca(2+) decrease the membrane fluidity. It is proposed that electrically evoked displacement of plasmalemma components takes part in the fusion process (U Zimmermann 1982 Biochim Biophys Acta 694: 227-277). We suggest that prostaglandins E(2) and F(2alpha) facilitate the electrofusion of pea mesophyll protoplasts by changing the fluidity of plasmalemma.

Protoplasmic Swelling as a Symptom of Freezing Injury in Onion Bulb Cells

Freezing injury, in onion bulb tissue, is known to cause enhanced K(+) efflux accompanied by a small but significant loss of Ca(2+) following incipient freezing injury and swelling of protoplasm during the postthaw secondary injury. The protoplasmic swelling of the cell is thought to be caused by the passive influx of extracellular K(+) into the cell followed by water uptake. Using outer epidermal layer of unfrozen onion bulb scales (Allium cepa L. cv Big Red), we were able to stimulate the irreversible freezing injury symptoms, by bathing epidermal cells in 50 millimolar KCl. These symptoms were prevented by adding 20 millimolar CaCl(2) to the extracellular KCl solution. Our results provide evidence that loss of cellular Ca(2+) plays an important role in the initiation and the progression of freezing injury.

Ca2+-Stimulated Secretion of α-Amylase During Development in Barley Aleurone Protoplasts

The effects of gibberellic acid (GA(3)) and Ca(2+) on the synthesis and secretion of alpha-amylase from protoplasts of barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv Himalaya) aleurone were studied. Protoplasts undergo dramatic morphological changes whether or not the incubation medium contains GA(3), CaCl(2), or both. Incubation of protoplasts in medium containing both GA(3) and Ca(2+), however, causes an increase in the alpha-amylase activity of both incubation medium and tissue extract relative to controls incubated in GA(3) or Ca(2+) alone. Isoelectric focusing shows that adding Ca(2+) to incubation media containing GA(3) increases the levels of alpha-amylase isozymes having high isoelectric points (pI). In the presence of GA(3) alone, only isozymes with low pIs accumulate. The increase in alpha-amylase activity in the incubation medium begins after 36 hours of incubation, and secretion is complete after about 72 hours. Protoplasts require continuous exposure to Ca(2+) to maintain elevated levels of alpha-amylase release. Immunoelectrophoresis shows that Ca(2+) stimulates the release of low-pI alpha-amylase isozymes by 3-fold and high-pI isozymes by 30-fold over controls incubated in GA(3) alone. Immunochemical data also show that the half-maximum concentration for this response is between 5 and 10 millimolar CaCl(2). The response is not specific for Ca(2+) since Sr(2+) can substitute, although less effectively than Ca(2+). Pulse-labeling experiments show that alpha-amylase isozymes produced by aleurone protoplasts in response to GA(3) and Ca(2+) are newly synthesized. The effects of Ca(2+) on the process of enzyme synthesis and secretion is not mediated via an effect of this ion on alpha-amylase stability or on protoplast viability. We conclude that Ca(2+) directly affects the process of enzyme synthesis and transport. Experiments with protoplasts also argue against the direct involvement of the cell wall in Ca(2+)-stimulated enzyme release.

Phloem Unloading in Soybean Seed Coats: Dynamics and Stability of Efflux into Attached `Empty Ovules'

The time-course of sucrose efflux from attached seedcoats (having their embryos surgically removed) into aqueous traps placed in the ;empty ovules' had three phases. The first phase lasted 10 minutes and probably was a period of apoplastic flushing. The second lasted 2 to 3 hours and is thought to be a phase of equilibration of seed coat symplast with the frequently refreshed liquid. The third phase of relatively steady efflux was postulated to reflect the continued import of sucrose from the plant, and hence to reflect the rate of sieve tube unloading. The average steady state efflux was equal under most conditions to the estimated rate of sucrose import. Efflux and import were unaffected by 150 millimolar osmoticum (mannitol or polyethylene glycol [molecular weight about 400]), by 0.5 millimolar CaCl(2), or by pretreatments up to 20 minutes with p-chloromercuribenzenesulfonic acid (PCMBS); they were enhanced by 40 micromolar abscisic acid, 40 micromolar indoleacetic acid, 20 micromolar fusicoccin, and 1 millimolar dithiothreitol (DTT) and were inhibited by 100 micromolar KCN, by 0.03% H(2)O(2), by 20 micromolar and 5 micromolar trifluoromethoxy (carbonyl cyamide) phenylhydrazone, by repeated 5 minutes per hour treatments with 5 millimolar PCMBS, and by 5 millimolar DTT. The ;steady state' sucrose efflux was able to account for about half the rate of dry weight growth of the embryo, but stabilization of the system with <1 millimolar DTT taken together with other considerations is likely to give good correspondence between experimental unloading rates and in vivo growth rates.

Role of Ca2+ and EGTA on Stomatal Movements in Commelina communis L.

Ca(2+) (0.1-1.0 millimolar) accelerated dark-induced stomatal closure and reduced stomatal apertures in the light in epidermal peels of Commelina communis L. In contrast, ethyleneglycol-bis-(beta-aminoethyl ether) N,N'tetraacetic acid (EGTA) (2 millimolar), a Ca(2+) chelator, prevented closure in the dark and accelerated opening in the light. EGTA did not promote significant opening in the dark. It is therefore concluded that EGTA does not increase ion uptake into guard cells, but rather prevents ion efflux. Addition of EGTA to incubating solutions with 10 millimolar KCl resulted in steady state apertures of 15.6 micrometers, whereas in the absence of EGTA similar apertures required 55 millimolar KCl and 150 millimolar KCl was needed in the presence of 1 millimolar CaCl(2). The results demonstrate the importance of Ca(2+) in the regulation of stomatal closure and point to a role of Ca(2+) in the regulation of K(+) efflux from stomatal guard cells.

Control of α-Amylase mRNA Accumulation by Gibberellic Acid and Calcium in Barley Aleurone Layers

Pulse-labeling of barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv Himalaya) aleurone layers incubated for 13 hours in 2.5 micromolar gibberellic acid (GA(3)) with or without 5 millimolar CaCl(2) shows that alpha-amylase isozymes 3 and 4 are not synthesized in vivo in the absence of Ca(2+). A cDNA clone for alpha-amylase was isolated and used to measure alpha-amylase mRNA levels in aleurone layers incubated in the presence and absence of Ca(2+). No difference was observed in alpha-amylase mRNA levels between layers incubated for 12 hours in 2.5 micromolar GA(3) with 5 millimolar CaCl(2) and layers incubated in GA(3) alone. RNA isolated from layers incubated for 12 hours in GA(3) with and without Ca(2+) was translated in vitro and was found to produce the same complement of translation products regardless of the presence of Ca(2+) in the incubation medium. Immunoprecipitation of translation products showed that the RNA for alpha-amylase synthesized in Ca(2+)-deprived aleurone layers was translatable. Ca(2+) is required for the synthesis of alpha-amylase isozymes 3 and 4 at a step after mRNA accumulation and processing.