A computational model of auxin and pH dynamics in a single plant cell

Directed cell-to-cell movement of the plant growth hormone auxin is often referred to as polar auxin transport, and has gained much interest since its discovery at the beginning of the 20th century, both by biologists and theoreticians. Computational modelling of auxin transport at tissue and whole plant scales has given valuable insights into the feedback dynamics between auxin and its transport, which often leads to cell polarisation. However, one cellular feedback mechanism that has been overlooked so far in previous models is the interplay between auxin and pH during auxin transport, even though this is well known from biology. We propose a kinetic model of such a feedback mechanism, linking knowledge about auxin-induced acidification of cell wall compartments to the chemiosmotic hypothesis of auxin transport. Our results suggest that proton fluxes may play a significant role in auxin transport. Since active auxin transport relies on the proton motive force over the cellular membrane, allocation of auxin is linked to its effects on compartmental pH. Our auxin/pH feedback model predicts enhanced accumulation of auxin in cells and increases in both auxin influx and efflux when this feedback is in effect. These results were robust in all simulations and consistent with biological evidence, thus providing a framework for generating and testing hypotheses of auxin-related polarisation events at a cellular level.