Characterization of a H Efflux from Suspension-cultured Plant Cells

A readily assayed H(+) efflux from sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus), rye (Lolium perenne), and bean (Phaseolus vulgaris cultivars Red Kidney and Small White) suspension-cultured cells has been detected and partially characterized. The H(+) efflux has been shown to require a source of energy, to be significantly stimulated by Na(+) and Mg(2+) but not by K(+) and Ca(2+), and to have a pH optimum at 7. The study of this H(+) efflux was undertaken because the characteristics of auxin-induced growth and of H(+)-induced growth are sufficiently similar to suggest that a H(+) efflux may be an intermediate in the mechanism of auxin-induced growth. However, the H(+) efflux from these suspension-cultured cells was found to be insensitive to exogenously added hormones.