Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Search research articles

Related Experiment Videos

D2O-induced cell excitation.

P R Andjus¹, D Vucelić

¹Institute of General and Physical Chemistry, Belgrade, Yugoslavia.

The Journal of Membrane Biology

|May 1, 1990

Summary

Deuterium oxide (D2O) triggers membrane excitation and potassium leakage in Chara gymnophylla cells. This suggests D2O

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

GABAB receptors as a common target for hypothermia and spike and wave seizures: intersecting mechanisms of thermoregulation and absence epilepsy.

Neuroscience·2013

Same author

Molecular imaging of brain lipid environment of lymphocytes in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis using magnetic resonance imaging and SECARS microscopy.

Physiological research·2011

Same author

Ivan Djaja (Jean Giaja) and the Belgrade School of Physiology.

Physiological research·2011

Same author

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis immunoglobulins G enhance the mobility of Lysotracker-labelled vesicles in cultured rat astrocytes.

Acta physiologica (Oxford, England)·2011

Same author

[Treatment of gastrointestinal hemorrhage manifestation induced by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents]].

Acta chirurgica Iugoslavica·2009

Same author

[Diurnal fluctuations of protein contents and the pH dependence of beta2-microglobulin stability in urine].

Izvestiia Akademii nauk. Seriia biologicheskaia·2008

Area of Science:

Plant Physiology
Cell Biology
Biophysics

Background:

Deuterium oxide (D2O), or heavy water, is known to affect biological systems.
The freshwater alga Chara gymnophylla possesses large, easily accessible internodal cells, making it a model organism for cellular studies.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the effects of deuterium oxide (D2O) on the plasma membrane of Chara gymnophylla giant internodal cells.
To elucidate the mechanism underlying D2O-induced cellular responses, including membrane potential changes and ion leakage.

Main Methods:

Electrophysiological recordings of membrane potential in Chara gymnophylla cells.
Measurement of potassium (K+) efflux from the cells.
Observation of protoplasmic streaming dynamics.

Main Results:

D2O induced rapid membrane depolarization, resembling an action potential with incomplete repolarization.
A significant potassium (K+) leakage was observed following D2O exposure.
D2O exposure led to a temporary arrest of protoplasmic streaming.

Conclusions:

D2O's primary action is likely an "osmotic stress" on membrane ion channels, disrupting normal function.
This osmotic stress suppresses electrogenic pump activity and causes ion leakage.
The observed membrane events are linked to the D2O-induced cessation of protoplasmic streaming, indicating the plasma membrane as the primary site of D2O action.

Related Experiment Videos