Saturable uptake of indol-3yl-acetic Acid by maize roots

The uptake of 5-[(3)H]indol-3yl-acetic acid (IAA(*)) by segments of Zea mays L. roots was measured in the presence of nonradioactive indol-3yl-acetic acid (IAA degrees ) at different concentrations. IAA uptake was found to have a nonsaturable component and a saturable part with (at pH 5.0) an apparent K(m) of 0.285 micromolar and apparent V(max) 55.0 picomoles per gram fresh mass per minute. These results are consistent with those which might be expected for a saturable carrier capable of regulating IAA levels. High performance liquid chromatography analyses showed that very little metabolism of IAA(*) took place during 4 minute uptake experiments. Whereas nonsaturable uptake was similar for all 2 millimeter long segments prepared within the 2 to 10 millimeter region, saturable uptake was greatest for the 2 to 4 millimeter region. High levels of uptake by stelar (as compared with cortical) segments are partly attributable to the saturable carrier, and also to a high level of uptake by nonsaturable processes. The carrier may play an essential role in controlling IAA levels in maize roots, especially the accumulation of IAA in the apical region. The increase in saturable uptake toward the root tip may also contribute to the acropetal polarity of auxin transport.