Effect of Ca2+ and calmodulin on ΔpH formation in tonoplast vesicles from corn roots

Uri S. Ladror, Raymond E. Zielinski

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The effects of calmodulin (CaM) on ATPase activity and ATP-dependent formation of a proton gradient (ΔpH) were studied in tonoplast membrane vesicles from corn (Zea mays L.) roots. At 0.6 micromolar, CaM stimulated ATPase activity by about 20% in the absence of an uncoupler, but by only 4% in its presence. Thus, the uncoupler-dependent increment of activity was decreased 30 to 45% by CaM. The formation of a proton gradient across the membrane vesicle, measured by quinacrine fluorescence quench, was inhibited about 20% by CaM. Its effect was additive to the effect of Ca2+ and was completely abolished by EGTA. These effects of CaM could be due to stimulation of H+ efflux or due to inhibition of the H+-ATPase. To distinguish between these possibilities, we examined the effect of CaM on dissipation of preformed ΔpH after the ATPase was inhibited. CaM stimulated the dissipation of a preformed ΔpH by 40% after the H+-ATPase was inhibited with NO3-. This indicates that CaM facilitates the recycling of protons across the tonoplast membranes and does not regulate the H+-ATPase by direct inhibition.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)850-854
Number of pages5
JournalPlant physiology
Volume92
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 1990

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physiology
  • Genetics
  • Plant Science

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