Methylammonium Transport in Phaseolus vulgaris Leaf Slices

Methylammonium (as a nonmetabolized analog of ammonium) transport was studied in leaf slices of Phaseolus vulgaris L. var. ;Hawkesbury Wonder.' The relationship of influx to external pH (6.0-10.5) shows that the influx at low external pH is a larger fraction of that at high external pH than would be expected from the pK(alpha) of methylammonium and the assumption that only CH(3)NH(2) is entering the cells. The relationship between methylammonium influx and external methylammonium concentration shows some evidence of saturation; this is a function of the transport system rather than of the (limited) methylammonium metabolism in the cells. The "equilibrium" concentration ratio for methylammonium between leaf slices and bathing medium is far higher than can be explained by the transport of CH(3)NH(2) alone and the pH of the compartments involved. These three lines of evidence strongly suggest that there is an influx of CH(3)NH(3) (+), possibly by a uniporter driven by the electrical potential of the cytoplasm with respect to the medium, as has been shown for other plant cells. Competitive inhibition of methylammonium influx by ammonium suggests that there is also an ammonium transport system. The significance of this for the recycling of N within the plant and for exchange of gaseous NH(3) between leaves and the atmosphere is discussed.