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Evidence for a plasmalemma redox system in sugarcane
1Experiment Station. Hawaiian Sugar Planters' Association, Aiea, Hawaii 96701.
Plant Physiology
|April 1, 1985
Summary
A sugarcane protoplast redox system uses NADH to consume oxygen and alter pH. This system also reduces ferricyanide and inhibits nutrient uptake, impacting cellular functions.
Area of Science:
- Plant Physiology
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Redox systems are crucial for cellular energy metabolism and transport.
- Understanding membrane-bound redox activities in plants is key to plant physiology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize a plasmalemma-bound NADH-dependent redox system in sugarcane protoplasts.
- To investigate the functional consequences of this redox system on cellular processes.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of protoplasts from sugarcane cell suspensions.
- Measurement of NADH and NADPH oxidation.
- Monitoring of oxygen consumption and external/cytoplasmic pH changes.
- Assay of ferricyanide reduction.
- Quantification of nutrient uptake (K+, 3-O-methylglucose, leucine, arginine) in the presence of NADH.
Main Results:
- A plasmalemma-bound redox system oxidizing both NADH and NADPH was identified.
- This system significantly increased oxygen consumption and altered external/cytoplasmic pH.
- NADH presence led to rapid ferricyanide reduction and external acidification.
- Uptake of K+, 3-O-methylglucose, leucine, and arginine was inhibited by NADH.
Conclusions:
- Sugarcane protoplasts possess a functional NADH-dependent redox system at the plasma membrane.
- This system plays a role in regulating oxygen consumption, pH gradients, and nutrient transport.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the precise mechanisms and physiological significance.