Mechanism of biodegradation of paraquat by Lipomyces starkeyi.

The biodegradation of ring-14C- and methyl-14C-labeled paraquat by the soil yeast Lipomyces starkeyi was studied in vitro. It was found that the degradation of paraquat (acting as a sole source of culture nitrogen) resulted in the accumulation in the extracellular medium of radiolabeled acetic acid. The culture also evolved radiolabeled CO2. The results suggest that the degradation of paraquat by L. starkeyi is associated with the integrity of the cell wall and that disruption or removal of the wall results in a complete loss of degradative capability. A mechanism for the degradation of paraquat by this organism is postulated.     

斯氏油脂酵母降解百草枯的效率及影响因素

本文研究了温度、pH值、葡萄糖浓度对斯氏油脂酵母降解百草枯的影响。结果表明在温度为30℃,pH值6~7,葡萄糖浓度大于6%的培养条件下,斯氏油脂酵母降解百草枯的效率最高。斯氏油脂酵母在无氮培养基中的生长速度与百草枯的降解效率呈正相关。     

Toxicity of paraquat to microorganisms

The biochemical response of the microorganisms Lipomyces starkeyi (Lod & Rij), Escherichia coli K-12 W3110, Bacillus subtilis 168 (Marburg) and Pseudomonas sp. strain TTO1 to the presence of growth-inhibitory concentrations of paraquat was studied. Paraquat was added to each culture at a concentration previously determined to reduce the culture growth rate by up to 50%. The changes in activity of a number of enzymes previously shown to be associated with the defense of the mammalian system against the action of paraquat were studied. While the response of E. coli was in agreement with that found in other studies of this microorganism and supports a commonly accepted mechanism for paraquat toxicity, the results obtained with L. starkeyi, B. subtilis, and Pseudomonas sp. strain TTO1 suggest that other mechanisms exist for protection against the toxicity of paraquat.     

Toxicity of paraquat to microorganisms.

The biochemical response of the microorganisms Lipomyces starkeyi (Lod & Rij), Escherichia coli K-12 W3110, Bacillus subtilis 168 (Marburg) and Pseudomonas sp. strain TTO1 to the presence of growth-inhibitory concentrations of paraquat was studied. Paraquat was added to each culture at a concentration previously determined to reduce the culture growth rate by up to 50%. The changes in activity of a number of enzymes previously shown to be associated with the defense of the mammalian system against the action of paraquat were studied. While the response of E. coli was in agreement with that found in other studies of this microorganism and supports a commonly accepted mechanism for paraquat toxicity, the results obtained with L. starkeyi, B. subtilis, and Pseudomonas sp. strain TTO1 suggest that other mechanisms exist for protection against the toxicity of paraquat.     

Compartmentation Analysis of Paraquat Fluxes in Maize Roots as a Means of Estimating the Rate of Vacuolar Accumulation and Translocation to Shoots

Efflux analysis conducted after five loading periods of various lengths (2, 6, 12, 18, or 24 h) was used to investigate uptake, compartmentation, and translocation of [14C]paraquat in maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings. The time course for net paraquat uptake (paraquat concentration in uptake solution = 25[mu]M) into maize roots was linear (56.7 nmol g-1 root fresh weight h-1) for 24 h. Estimates of changes in paraquat content in the vacuole, cytoplasm, and cell wall after 2-, 6-, 12-, 18-, and 24-h loading periods indicated that the cell wall saturated rapidly, whereas accumulation of paraquat into the vacuole increased linearly (12.4 nmol g-1 root fresh weight h-1) over 24 h. In contrast to vacuolar accumulation, cytoplasmic paraquat content appeared to approach saturation. The half-time for paraquat efflux from the cell wall (16.6 min [plus or minus] 1.2 SD) and cytoplasm (58.8 min [plus or minus] 8.9 SD remained relatively constant regardless of the length of the loading period, whereas the half-time for efflux from the vacuole was considerably longer and increased linearly with increased loading time (6.1-18.7 h). The time course for paraquat translocation to the shoot was linear within a 24-h exposure to radiolabeled herbicide, but translocation did not begin until 5 h after initiation of treatment. The experimental approach used in these experiments provides a valuable method for examining the movement of paraquat in maize seedlings. Results indicate that the herbicide slowly accumulates in the vacuole of root cells but is also translocated to the shoot.     

Phycobiliprotein synthesis in protoplasts of the unicellular cyanophyte, Anacystis nidulans.

Stable and metabolically active protoplasts were prepared from the unicellular cyanophyte, Anacystis nidulans, by enzymatic digestion of the cell wall with 0.1% lysozyme. The yield of protoplasts from intact algal cells was approx. 50%. Incorporation of L-[U-14C]leucine into cold trichloroacetic acid-insoluble material from protoplasts preparations was linear for 1.5 h and continued for an additional 2.5 h. Incorporation of radiolabeled leucine into hot trichloroacetic acid-insoluble material from protoplast preparations demonstrated protein synthesis in protoplasts in vitro. Phycocyanin is the principal phycobiliprotein and allophycocyanin is a minor phycobiliprotein in A. nidulans cells. The light-absorbing chromophore of both of these phycobiliproteins is the linear tetrapyrrole (bile pigment), phycocyanobilin. Radiolabeled phycocyanin and allophycocyanin were isolated from protoplast preparations which had been incubated with L-[U-14]leucine or delta-amino[4-14C] levulinic acid (a precursor of phycocyanobilin). The radio-labeled phycobiliproteins were purified by ammonium sulfate fractionation and ion-exchange chromatography on brushite columns. The specific radioactivity of phycocyanin and allophycocyanin in brushite column eluates (protoplasts incubated with radiolabeled leucine) was 106 000 and 82 000 dpm/mg, respectively. The specific radioactivity of phycocyanin and allophycocyanin in brushite column eluates (protoplasts incubated with radiolabeled delta-aminolevulinic acid) was 33 000 and 38 000 dpm/mg, respectively. Phycobiliproteins from protoplasts incubated with radiolabeled leucine were examined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. 25% of the incorporated radioactivity in protoplast lysates and approx. 60% of the incorporated radioactivity in protoplast lysates and approx. 60% of the incorporated ratioactivity in phycocyanin and allophycocyanin (in brushite column eluates) comigrated with the subunits of these phycobiliproteins on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels. Chromic acid degradation of phycobiliproteins from protoplast preparations incubated with delta-amino[4-14C] levulinic acid yielded radiolabeled imides which were derived from the phycocyanobilin chromophore. Imides from radiolabeled phycobiliproteins isolated from protoplast preparations incubated with L-[U-14C]leucine did not contain radioactivity. These results show that both the apoprotein and tetrapyrrolic moieties of phycocyanin and allophycocyanin were synthesized in A. nidulans protoplasts in vitro.     

The fate of E. coli lipopolysaccharide after the uptake of E. coli by murine macrophages in vitro

The fate of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) after the uptake of Escherichia coli by macrophages in vitro was studied. The LPS of the galactose epimerase-deficient E. coli J5 mutant was specifically radiolabeled with [3H]galactose by growing the organism in a basic salts medium containing galactose. Control bacteria were uniformly radiolabeled by growth in [14C]glucose and unlabeled galactose-containing medium. Surface constituents of E. coli were also labeled with 125I. After in vitro phagocytosis of labeled E. coli by murine peritoneal exudate macrophages, the rate of exocytosis of LPS, as assessed by release of 3H over a 72-hr period, was considerably reduced in comparison with other bacterial constituents (14C and 125I release). The [3H]galactose-labeled material exocytosed from macrophages and that remaining intracellularly (obtained from macrophage lysates) were isolated by cesium chloride (CsCl) density gradients and were shown to have altered density profiles as compared with purified E. coli LPS. The macrophage-"processed" [3H] galactose-containing fractions from CsCl density gradients of culture supernatants or macrophage lysates were capable of clotting Limulus amebocyte lysate. The [3H]galactose material obtained from 48-hr macrophage lysates and culture supernatants could also induce a lethal response in actinomycin D-treated mice. These data suggest that bacterial LPS may be selectively retained by the macrophage and that the post-phagocytic events that result in bacterial degradation are not accompanied by the degradation of LPS. Furthermore, although the LPS may be modified by the macrophage, it retains its biologic activity.     

Phospholipid synthesis in isolated alveolar type II cells exposed in vitro to paraquat and hyperoxia.

Isolated alveolar epithelial type II cells were exposed to paraquat and to hyperoxia by gas diffusion through the thin Teflon bottom of culture dishes. After exposure, type II cells were further incubated in the presence of labelled substrates to assess their capacity to synthesize lipids. Hyperoxia alone (90% O2; 5 h) had minor effects on lipid metabolism in the type II cells. At low paraquat concentrations (5 and 10 microM), hyperoxia enhanced the paraquat-induced decrease of [Me-14C]choline incorporation into phosphatidylcholines. The incorporation rates of [Me-14C]choline, [1-14C]palmitate, [1-14C]glucose and [1,3-3H]glycerol into various phospholipid classes and neutral lipids were decreased by paraquat, depending on the concentration and duration of the exposure. The incorporation of [1-14C]acetate into phosphatidylcholines, phosphatidylglycerols and neutral lipids appeared to be very sensitive to inactivation by paraquat. At 5 microM-paraquat the rate of [1-14C]acetate incorporation was decreased to 50% of the control values. The rate of [1-14C]palmitate incorporation into lipids was much less sensitive; it even increased at low paraquat concentrations. At 10 microM-paraquat both NADPH and ATP were significantly decreased. It is concluded that lipid synthesis in isolated alveolar type II cells is extremely sensitive to paraquat. At low concentrations of this herbicide, lipid synthesis, and particularly fatty acid synthesis, is decreased. The effects on lipid metabolism may be partly related to altered NADPH and ATP concentrations.     

Catabolism of newly synthesized decorin by explant cultures of bovine ligament.

The catabolism of newly synthesized decorin by explant cultures of bovine collateral ligament was investigated. The tissue was placed in explant culture for 6 days then incubated with radiolabeled sulfate for 6 h and replaced in culture for 5 days to allow for the loss of the radiolabeled large proteoglycan. The metabolic fate of the remaining radiolabeled decorin present in the matrix of the tissue over the next 9-day period was determined. It was shown that this pool of decorin was lost from ligament explant cultures either directly into the culture medium or taken up and degraded within the cells of the tissue. The intracellular degradation of the radiolabeled pool of decorin by ligament explant cultures was shown to result in the generation of [35S]sulfate. This process required metabolically active cells and involved the lysosomal system since sulfate generation was inhibited when cultures were maintained at 4 degrees C or in the presence of either 10 mM ammonium chloride or 0. 05 mM chloroquine. The inhibition of intracellular processing of decorin resulted in an increase in the rate of loss of this proteoglycan into the medium of the cultures. The inhibition of intracellular degradation of decorin was reversible on incubation of the explant cultures at 37 degrees C or removal of ammonium chloride from the culture medium. After removal of the ammonium chloride from the culture medium the rate of intracellular catabolism was greater than that observed in cultures maintained in medium alone, which suggested that there was an intracellular accumulation of native and/or partially degraded material within the cells.     

Cell wall proteins of Candida albicans

Proteins were solubilized from cell wall fractions of Candida albicans and separated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Cell walls were isolated from 25 and 37 degrees C growing and stationary phase yeast cultures and from germ tubes. The 42 protein bands detected by dye binding were observed in all wall extracts, regardless of the temperature, growth state, or morphology of the culture. The carbohydrate content of most bands was below the detectable limit of the periodic acid Schiff reagent. The protein complement revealed by autoradiography of radiolabeled proteins was half that detected by staining. Two bands showed greater intensity from cultures grown at 37 degrees C. The radio-labeled pattern was similar with both [35S]methionine-and [14C]leucine-labeled proteins and either pulse- or continuous-labeled proteins.     

Solubilization of an arabinan arabinosyltransferase activity from mung bean hypocotyls

The biosynthesis of polysaccharides destined for the plant cell wall and the subsequent assembly of the cell wall are poorly understood processes that are currently the focus of much research. Arabinan, a component of the pectic polysaccharide rhamnogalacturonan I, is composed of arabinosyl residues connected via various glycosidic linkages, and therefore, the biosynthesis of arabinan is likely to involve more than one arabinosyltransferase. We have studied the transfer of [(14)C]arabinose (Ara) from UDP-L-arabinopyranose onto polysaccharides using microsomal membranes isolated from mung bean (Vigna radiata) hypocotyls. [(14)C]arabinosyl and [(14)C]xylosyl residues were incorporated into endogenous products due to the presence of UDP-Xyl-4-epimerase activity. Enzymatic digestion of endogenous products with endo-arabinanase released very little radiolabeled sugars, whereas digestion with arabinofuranosidase released some [(14)C]Ara. Microsomal membranes solubilized with the detergent octyl glucoside were able to add a single [(14)C]Ara residue onto (1-->5)-linked alpha-L-arabino-oligosaccharide acceptors. The reaction had a pH optimum of 6.5 and a requirement for manganese ions. However, enzymatic digestion of the radiolabeled oligosaccharides with endo-arabinanase and arabinofuranosidases could not fully release the radiolabeled Ara residue, indicating that the [(14)C]Ara residue was not a (1-->2)-, (1-->3)-, or (1-->5)-linked alpha-L-arabinofuranosyl residue. Rather, mild acid treatment of the product suggested that the radiolabeled Ara residue was in a pyranose conformation, and this result was confirmed by thin-layer chromatography of radiolabeled partially methylated sugars. Using microsomal membranes separated on a discontinuous sucrose gradient, the arabinosyltransferase activity appears to be mainly localized to Golgi membranes.     

Turnover of cell wall polysaccharides of a Vinca rosea suspension culture

Turnover of cell wall components was examined in two growth phases of a batch suspension culture of Vinca rosea L. Three-day-cultured cells (cell division phase) and 5-day-cultured cells (cell expansion phase) were incubated with d -[U-¹⁴C]glucose. After various periods of incubation, extra-cellular polysaccharides (ECP) and cell walls were isolated, and then the cell walls were fractionated to pectic substance, hemicellulose, and cellulose fractions. The results of the measurement of radioactivities and amounts of total carbohydrate in the ECP and cell wall fractions indicated that synthesis of pectic substance was more active in the cell division phase than in the cell expansion phase. From the results of the pulse-chase experiments, in which cells prelabelled by incubation with d -[U-¹⁴C]glucose for 3 h were incubated in a medium containing unlabelled glucose for various periods, the gross degradation, net synthesis, and gross synthesis of cell wall components were estimated. Active degradation and synthesis were observed in the hemicellulose fraction, indicating that active turnover occurred in the hemicellulose fraction, while little degradation was found in the pectic substance and cellulose fractions.     

Post-transcriptional regulation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity by cAMP in GH3 pituitary tumor cells. Evidence for increased degradation of catalytic subunit in the presence of cAMP

The effects of cyclic AMP treatment on total cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity in GH3 pituitary tumor cells have been studied. Incubation of cells for 24 h with 1 microM forskolin resulted in a 50% decrease in total cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity which was reversible upon removal of forskolin from culture media. A similar response was observed in GH3 cells treated with 5 ng/ml cholera toxin and 0.5 mM dibutyryl cAMP but not 0.5 mM dibutyryl cGMP. Northern blot analysis demonstrated that the steady-state level of the mRNA for each of the six kinase subunit isoforms studied was not detectably altered after treatment with 1 microM forskolin for 24 h. The concentration of catalytic subunit was also assessed by binding studies using a radiolabeled heat-stable protein kinase inhibitor. Treatment of GH3 cells with 1 microM forskolin for 24 h reduced protein kinase inhibitor binding activity by 50%, consistent with the observed forskolin-induced decrease in total kinase activity. Analysis of endogenous heat-stable protein kinase inhibitor activity in GH3 cell extracts showed no significant difference between forskolin-treated cells and cells maintained under control conditions. To assess possible effects on catalytic subunit degradation, pulse-chase experiments were performed and radiolabeled catalytic subunit was isolated by affinity chromatography. The results demonstrated that treatment of cells with chlorophenylthio-cAMP detectably increased the apparent degradation of radiolabeled catalytic subunit. The increased degradation of the catalytic subunit was sufficient to account for the observed decreases in kinase activity. These results suggest that relatively long term cAMP treatment can alter total cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity through effects to alter the degradation of the catalytic subunit of the enzyme.     

Adenosine accumulation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae cultured in medium containing low levels of adenine.

By monitoring the in vivo incorporation of low concentrations of radiolabeled adenine into acid-soluble compounds, we observed the unusual accumulation of two nucleosides in Saccharomyces cerevisiae that were previously considered products of nucleotide degradation. Under the culture conditions used in the present study, radiolabeled adenosine was the major acid-soluble intracellular derivative, and radiolabeled inosine was initially detected as the second most prevalent derivative in a mutant lacking adenine aminohydrolase. The use of yeast mutants defective in the conversion of adenine to hypoxanthine or to AMP renders very unlikely the possibility that the presence of adenosine and inosine is attributable to nucleotide degradation. These data can be explained by postulating the existence of two enzyme activities not previously reported in S. cerevisiae. The first of these activities transfers ribose to the purine ring and may be attributable to purine nucleoside phosphorylase (EC 2.4.2.1) or adenosine phosphorylase (EC 2.4.2.-). The second enzyme converts adenosine to inosine and in all likelihood is adenosine aminohydrolase (EC 3.5.4.4).     

高产油脂酵母菌选育及摇瓶发酵条件的研究

经紫外线和ＥＭＳ复合诱变选育出一株高产油脂的优良酵母菌株,命名为Ｌｉｐｏｍｙｃｅｓ．Ｓｔａｒｋｅｙｉ　ＨＬ。通过摇瓶培养,对各项与菌体产油脂相关的因素作了单因子实验,确定了摇瓶发酵培养的最佳产油脂条件：碳源,废糖液１６５．７ｍｌ／Ｌ;氮源,硫酸铵１．０８ｇ／Ｌ;Ｃ／Ｎ：６１：１;培养温度为２８℃;接种量１０％;发酵时间９６ｈ; ｐＨ５．０。最后可得油脂产量 ５．９ｇ／Ｌ;菌体生物量 １１．０ｇ／Ｌ;油脂含量 ５３．６％。对菌体内油脂组成进行了气相色谱与质谱分析,结果如下：软脂酸３３．２％,棕     

Biosynthetic origin of mycobacterial cell wall arabinosyl residues.

Designing new drugs that inhibit the biosynthesis of the D-arabinan moiety of the mycobacterial cell wall arabinogalactan is one important basic approach for treatment of mycobacterial diseases. However, the biosynthetic origin of the D-arabinosyl monosaccharide residues themselves is not known. To obtain information on this issue, mycobacteria growing in culture were fed glucose labeled with 14C or 3H in specific positions. The resulting radiolabeled cell walls were isolated and hydrolyzed, the arabinose and galactose were separated by high-pressure liquid chromatography, and the radioactivity in each sugar was determined. [U-14C]glucose, [6-3H]glucose, [6-14C]glucose, and [1-14C]glucose were all converted to cell wall arabinosyl residues with equal retention of radioactivity. The positions of the labeled atoms in the arabinose made from [1-14C]glucose and [6-3H]glucose were shown to be C-1 and H-5, respectively. These results demonstrated that the arabinose carbon skeleton is formed via the nonoxidative pentose shunt and not via hexose decarboxylation or via triose condensations. Since the pentose shunt product, ribulose-5-phosphate, is converted to arabinose-5-phosphate as the first step in 3-keto-D-manno-octulosonic acid biosynthesis by gram-negative bacteria, such a conversion was then searched for in mycobacteria. However, cell-free enzymatic analysis using both phosphorous nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry and colorimetric methods failed to detect the conversion. Thus, the conversion of the pentose shunt intermediates to the D-arabino stereochemistry is not via the expected isomerase but rather must occur via novel metabolic transformations.     

百草枯对木质素降解菌产酶及其生物化学变化的影响

为研究外源活性氧对木质素降解菌的影响,本实验对外源百草枯诱导下的杂色云芝(Coriolus versicolor)产酶及其生物化学过程进行了研究。将一定浓度的百草枯加入培养7 d的杂色云芝菌培养液中,连续培养148 h,测定其胞外木质素降解酶、胞内抗氧化酶的活性及生物化学参数的变化。与对照相比,30μmol/L的百草枯能够显著促进杂色云芝锰依赖过氧化物酶(MnP)、木质素过氧化物酶(LiP)和漆酶(Lac)的活性,3种酶活性分别提高了1.3、7和2.5倍;在连续培养的前48 h,30μmol/L的百草枯促进了胞内超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)的活性。百草枯对于胞外木质素降解酶活性的促进作用比对胞内抗氧化酶活性的促进作用明显。百草枯的加入促进了胞外酚类化合物与甲醛的浓度的增加,而丙二醛的浓度在培养的前24 h内增加,随后下降。结果表明,百草枯的加入对白腐菌产生了氧化胁迫,但菌株的抗氧化系统能够有效地进行氧化剂的清除,从而阻止氧化剂对机体的氧化伤害。百草枯作为外源氧化胁迫剂,可以增加木质素降解酶活性,有利于木质素的降解。     

Phenotypic classes of phenoloxidase-negative mutants of the lignin-degrading fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium

This paper reports the isolation of phenoloxidase-negative mutants of the white-rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium and the results of a survey of idiophasic functions among these mutants. The mutant strains were isolated from a medium containing o-anisidine after gamma irradiation of wild-type spores and fell into four classes, divided by the manner in which they mineralized 14C-lignin wheat lignocellulose. Examples are strain LMT7, which degraded lignin at a rate similar to that of the wild type; strain LMT26, in which degradation was enhanced; strain LMT16, whose degradation rate was apparently unaffected, although the onset of lignin attack was delayed compared with that in the wild type; and strain LMT24, which was unable to evolve significant amounts of 14CO2 from the radiolabeled substrate. The mutants were not necessarily defective in other functions associated with idiophasic activities (intracellular cyclic AMP levels, sporulation, extracellular glucan production, veratryl alcohol synthesis). We conclude that phenoloxidase activity as detected by the o-anisidine plate test is not necessary for lignin degradation. In addition, mutations resulting in the loss of lignin-degrading ability were not necessarily pleiotropic with other idiophasic functions.     

Swainsonine inhibits macrophage receptor-mediated uptake and degradation of a mannosyl-oligosaccharide

Rat pulmonary macrophages were incubated in the presence of a radiolabeled mannosyl-oligosaccharide obtained from ovalbumin. Receptor-mediated endocytosis and degradation of this ligand by the cells was followed in the presence or absence of swainsonine, an inhibitor of alpha-mannosidases. The results indicated that at higher concentrations (greater than 1 microgram/ml) of swainsonine, both the internalization and degradation of the radiolabeled ligand were inhibited. At a concentration of 0.1 microgram/ml of swainsonine, only the degradation was inhibited while the uptake was unaltered. The degradation of the oligosaccharide was blocked due to the inhibition of lysosomal alpha-mannosidase. However, the inhibition of lysosomal alpha-mannosidase was reversible upon withdrawal of swainsonine.     

Characterization of Paraquat Transport in Protoplasts from Maize (Zea mays L.) Suspension Cells

Protoplasts isolated from maize (Zea mays L.) suspension cells were used to study transport of paraquat. [14C]Paraquat uptake was measured in 400-[mu]L centrifuge tubes using silicon oil centrifugation techniques. Approximately 50% of accumulation from a 100 [mu]M paraquat solution occurred in the first 10 s, and net accumulation reached a maximum after about 10 min. Membrane binding accounted for about 30% of apparent accumulation. Concentration-dependent uptake kinetics were characterized by a non-saturating curve, which was resolved into a linear and a saturable component. The Km of the saturable component was 132 [mu]M, and the Vmax was 0.512 nmol [mu]L of protoplasts-1 min-1. In the absence of sucrose, the Vmax of the saturable component was reduced by 52%, suggesting that paraquat uptake across the plasmalemma is energy dependent. Measurement of concentration-dependent binding of paraquat to burst protoplasts showed a linear response. This suggests that the linear component from intact protoplast concentration kinetics represented paraquat binding to the plasmalemma surface. Calcium inhibited the saturable component, and this inhibition was shown by Lineweaver-Burk analysis to be noncompetitive. Putrescine, a divalent cationic polyamine with a charge distribution similar to that of paraquat, competitively inhibited paraquat uptake. These results show that paraquat transport characteristics at the plasmalemma of maize protoplasts are similar to those reported earlier for paraquat transport in roots of intact maize seedlings.