Transplasma membrane electron transport in plants

The presence of transplasma membrane electron transport in a variety of plant cells and tissues is reported. It is now agreed that this property of eukaryotic cells is of ubiquitous nature. Studies with highly purified plasma membranes have established the presence of electron transport enzymes. Two types of activities have been identified. One, termed "Standard" reductase, is of general occurrence. The other, inducible under iron deficiency and relatively more active, is "Turbo" reductase. However, the true nature of components participating in electron transport and their organization in the plasma membrane is not known. The electron transport is associated with proton release and uses intracellular NAD(P)H as substrate. The electron flow leads to changes in intracellular redox status, pH, and metabolic energy. The responsiveness of this system to growth hormones is also observed. These findings suggest a role for electron flow across the plasma membrane in cell growth and regulation of ion transport. Involvement of this system in many other cellular functions is also argued.