Isolation and partial characterization of vacuoles from tobacco protoplasts

Protoplasts from suspension-cultured cells of Nicotiana glutinosa L. were lysed in 0.3 molar sorbitol in 2 millimolar ethylenediaminetetraacetate-tris(hydroxymethyl) aminomethane (pH 7.5) to release intact vacuoles. The vacuoles were purified by centrifugation in a Ficoll step gradient. About 11% of the vacuoles and 13% of the acid phosphatase activity was recovered in the purified vacuole fraction, suggesting that the vacuole is the major site for acid phosphatase in these cells. NADH-cytochrome c reductase, malate dehydrogenase, and cytochrome c oxidase activities were reduced during vacuole purification. The majority of the adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP) hydrolytic activity of purified vacuoles was associated with nonspecific acid phosphatase and not with a transport ATPase. As judged by acid phosphatase distribution and electron microscopy, the effective density of vacuoles in a sucrose gradient was low (less than 1.1 grams per cubic centimeter), although an unequivocal estimate of the vacuole or tonoplast density was not possible from the experiments conducted.     

Variable Effects of Nitrate on ATP-Dependent Proton Transport by Barley Root Membranes

The effects of NO₃⁻ and assay temperature on proton translocating ATPases in membranes of barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv California Mariout 72) roots were examined. The membranes were fractionated on continuous and discontinuous sucrose gradients and proton transport was assayed by monitoring the fluorescence of acridine orange. A peak of H⁺-ATPase at 1.11 grams per cubic centimeter was inhibited by 50 millimolar KNO₃ when assayed at 24°C or above and was tentatively identified as the tonoplast H⁺-ATPase. A smaller peak of H⁺-ATPase at 1.16 grams per cubic centimeter, which was not inhibited by KNO₃ and was partially inhibited by vanadate, was tentatively identified as the plasma membrane H⁺-ATPase. A step gradient gave three fractions enriched, respectively, in endoplasmic reticulum, tonoplast ATPase, and plasma membrane ATPase. There was a delay before 50 millimolar KNO₃ inhibited ATP hydrolysis by the tonoplast ATPase at 12°C and the initial rate of proton transport was stimulated by 50 millimolar KNO₃. The time course for fluorescence quench indicated that addition of ATP in the presence of KNO₃ caused a pH gradient to form that subsequently collapsed. This biphasic time course for proton transport in the presence of KNO₃ was explained by the temperature-dependent delay of the inhibition by KNO₃. The plasma membrane H⁺-ATPase maintained a pH gradient in the presence of KNO₃ for up to 30 minutes at 24°C.     

H-ATPase Activity from Storage Tissue of Beta vulgaris: I. Identification and Characterization of an Anion-Sensitive H-ATPase

Microsomal membranes isolated from red beet (Beta vulgaris L.) storage tissue were found to contain high levels of ionophore-stimulated ATPase activity. The distribution of this ATPase activity on a continuous sucrose gradient showed a low density peak (1.09 grams per cubic centimeter) that was stimulated over 400% by gramicidin and coincided with a peak of NO₃⁻-sensitive ATPase activity. At higher densities (1.16-1.18 grams per cubic centimeter) a shoulder of gramicidin-stimulated ATPase that coincided with a peak of vanadate-sensitive ATPase was apparent. A discontinuous sucrose gradient of 16/26/34/40% sucrose (w/w) was effective in routinely separating the NO₃⁻-sensitive ATPase (16/26% interface) from the vanadate-sensitive ATPase (34/40% interface). Both membrane fractions were shown to catalyze ATP-dependent H⁺ transport, with the transport process showing the same differential sensitivity to NO₃⁻ and vanadate as the ATPase activity.

Characterization of the lower density ATPase (16/26% interface) indicated that it was highly stimulated by gramicidin, inhibited by KNO₃, stimulated by anions (Cl⁻ > Br⁻ > acetate > HCO₃⁻ > SO₄²⁻), and largely insensitive to monovalent cations. These characteristics are very similar to those reported for tonoplast ATPase activity and a tonoplast origin for the low density membrane vesicles was supported by comparison with isolated red beet vacuoles. The membranes isolated from the vacuole preparation were found to possess an ATPase with characteristics identical to those of the low density membrane vesicles, and were shown to have a peak density of 1.09 grams per cubic centimeter. Furthermore, following osmotic lysis the vacuolar membranes apparently resealed and ATP-dependent H⁺ transport could be demonstrated in these vacuole-derived membrane vesicles. This report, thus, strongly supports a tonoplast origin for the low density, anion-sensitive H⁺-ATPase and further indicates the presence of a higher density, vanadate-sensitive, H⁺-ATPase in the red beet microsomal membrane fraction, which is presumably of plasma membrane origin.

     

Density gradient localization of plasma membrane and tonoplast from storage tissue of growing and dormant red beet : characterization of proton-transport and ATPase in tonoplast vesicles

Membranes from homogenates of growing and of dormant storage roots of red beet (Beta vulgaris L.) were centrifuged on linear sucrose gradients. Vanadate-sensitive ATPase activity, a marker for plasma membrane, peaked at 38% to 40% sucrose (1.165-1.175 grams per cubic centimeter) in the case of growing material but moved to as low as 30% sucrose (1.127 grams per cubic centimeter) during dormancy.

A band of nitrate-sensitive ATPase was found at sucrose concentrations of 25% to 28% or less (around 1.10 grams per cubic centimeter) for both growing and dormant material. This band showed proton transport into membrane vesicles, as measured by the quenching of fluorescence of acridine orange in the presence of ATP and Mg²⁺. The vesicles were collected on a 10/23% sucrose step gradient. The phosphate hydrolyzing activity was Mg dependent, relatively substrate specific for ATP (ATP > GTP > UTP > CTP = 0) and increased up to 4-fold by ionophores. The ATPase activity showed a high but variable pH optimum, was stimulated by Cl⁻, but was unaffected by monovalent cations. It was inhibited about 50% by 10 nanomolar mersalyl, 20 micromolar N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, 80 micromolar diethylstilbestrol, or 20 millimolar NO₃⁻; but was insensitive to molybdate, vanadate, oligomycin, and azide. Proton transport into vesicles from the 10/23% sucrose interface was stimulated by Cl⁻, inhibited by NO₃⁻, and showed a high pH optimum and a substrate specificity similar to the ATPase, including some proton transport driven by GTP and UTP.

The low density of the vesicles (1.10 grams per cubic centimeter) plus the properties of H⁺ transport and ATPase activity are similar to the reported properties of intact vacuoles of red beet and other materials. We conclude that the low density, H⁺-pumping ATPase of red beets originated from the tonoplast. Tonoplast H⁺-ATPases with similar properties appear to be widely distributed in higher plants and fungi.

     

Isolation of tonoplast vesicles from tobacco protoplasts

Vacuoles were isolated from protoplasts of Nicotiana glutinosa by the method of Mettler and Leonard (Plant Physiol 1979 64: 1114-1120) with minor modifications so that the number of intact protoplasts contaminating the vacuole preparation was reduced to less than 1% (by number). Isopycnic centrifugation of a [³H]choline-labeled, sonicated vacuole preparation on linear 5 to 40% sucrose gradients indicated that tonoplast vesicles equilibrated at a density of about 1.12 grams per cubic centimeter. When tonoplast vesicles were isolated on discontinuous sucrose density gradients substrate specific ATPase activity was not found to be associated with this membrane fraction. These results are discussed in terms of the energetics of ion transport through the tonoplast membrane.     

A Ca/H Antiport System Driven by the Proton Electrochemical Gradient of a Tonoplast H-ATPase from Oat Roots

Two types of ATP-dependent calcium (Ca²⁺) transport systems were detected in sealed microsomal vesicles from oat roots. Approximately 80% of the total Ca²⁺ uptake was associated with vesicles of 1.11 grams per cubic centimeter and was insensitive to vanadate or azide, but inhibited by NO₃⁻. The remaining 20% was vanadate-sensitive and mostly associated with the endoplasmic reticulum, as the transport activity comigrated with an endoplasmic reticulum marker (antimycin A-insensitive NADH cytochrome c reductase), which was shifted from 1.11 to 1.20 grams per cubic centimeter by Mg²⁺.

Like the tonoplast H⁺-ATPase activity, vanadate-insensitive Ca²⁺ accumulation was stimulated by 20 millimolar Cl⁻ and inhibited by 10 micromolar 4,4′-diisothiocyano-2,2′-stilbene disulfonic acid or 50 micromolar N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide. This Ca²⁺ transport system had an apparent K_m for Mg-ATP of 0.24 millimolar similar to the tonoplast ATPase. The vanadate-insensitive Ca²⁺ transport was abolished by compounds that eliminated a pH gradient and Ca²⁺ dissipated a pH gradient (acid inside) generated by the tonoplast-type H⁺-ATPase. These results provide compelling evidence that a pH gradient generated by the H⁺-ATPase drives Ca²⁺ accumulation into right-side-out tonoplast vesicles via a Ca²⁺/H⁺ antiport. This transport system was saturable with respect to Ca²⁺ (K_m apparent = 14 micromolar). The Ca²⁺/H⁺ antiport operated independently of the H⁺-ATPase since an artifically imposed pH gradient (acid inside) could also drive Ca²⁺ accumulation. Ca²⁺ transport by this system may be one major way in which vacuoles function in Ca²⁺ homeostasis in the cytoplasm of plant cells.

     

Purification of plasma membranes from roots of barley: specificity of the phosphotungstic Acid-chromic Acid stain

Plasma membrane vesicles from roots of barley (Hordeum vulgare L., var. Arivat) had an equilibrium density in sucrose of about 1.16 grams per cubic centimeter, but could not be purified satisfactorily with the procedure developed for roots of other plant species. The reported procedure involving differential centrifugation to remove mitochondria (peak density of 1.18 grams per cubic centimeter) and subsequent density gradient centrifugation to purify plasma membrane vesicles was modified to include a narrower differential centrifugation fraction (13,000 to 40,000g instead of 13,000 to 80,000g) and a narrower density range in the sucrose gradient (1.15 to 1.18 grams per cubic centimeter instead of 1.15 to 1.20 grams per cubic centimeter). The fraction obtained by the modified procedure was between 60 and 70% pure as determined by staining with the phosphotungstic acid-chromic acid procedure, which was judged to be reliable for identifying plasma membrane vesicles in subcellular fractions from barley roots. The plasma membrane fraction was enriched in K⁺-stimulated ATPase activity at pH 6.5. The presence of nonspecific ATP-hydrolyzing activity in the plasma membrane fraction made it difficult to determine if the ATPase had properties in common with those reported for cation absorption in barley roots.     

Transport Properties of the Tomato Fruit Tonoplast : I. Identification and Characterization of an Anion-Sensitive H-ATPase

An anion-sensitive H⁺-translocating ATPase was identified in membrane vesicles isolated from mature green tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) fruit. The H⁺-ATPase was associated with a low density membrane population having a peak density of 1.11 grams per cubic centimeter, and its activity was inhibited by NO₃⁻, N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide and diethylstilbestrol but not by vanadate, azide, molybdate, or oligomycin. This H⁺-ATPase has an unusual pH dependence indicating both a slightly acidic and a near neutral peak of activity. Chloride was found to be a potent stimulator of ATPase activity. The K_m for the H⁺-ATPase was approximately 0.8 millimolar ATP. The characteristics of this H⁺-ATPase are very similar to those described for a number of plant cell tonoplast H⁺-ATPases suggesting that the activity identified in tomato fruit membranes is tonoplast-associated. This report demonstrates the feasibility of isolating tonoplast vesicles from acidic fruit tissues for studies of transport activities associated with fruit development and maturation.     

H-pumping driven by the vanadate-sensitive ATPase in membrane vesicles from corn roots

The initial rate of quenching of quinacrine fluorescence was used to monitor Mg:ATP-dependent H⁺-pumping in membrane vesicles from corn (Zea mays L. cv WF9 × MO17) roots and obtain a preparation in which vanadate-sensitive H⁺-pumping could be observed. Separation of membranes on a linear sucrose density gradient resulted in two distinct peaks of H⁺-pumping activity: a major one, at density 1.11 grams per cubic centimeter, was sensitive to NO₃⁻ and resistant to vanadate, while a minor one, at density 1.17 grams per cubic centimeter, was substantially resistant to NO₃⁻ and sensitive to vanadate. A membrane fraction enriched in the vanadate-sensitive H⁺-pump could be obtained by washing microsomes prepared in the presence of 10% glycerol with 0.25 molar KI. The kinetics of inhibition of H⁺-pumping by vanadate in this membrane preparation indicated that most of the H⁺-pumping activity in this fraction is sensitive to inhibition by vanadate, 50% inhibition being reached at about 60 micromolar vanadate. This value is fairly close to that observed for inhibition by vanadate of the ATPase activity in similar experimental conditions (40 micromolar). The inhibitor sensitivity, divalent cation dependence, pH optimum (6.5), and K_m for ATP (0.7 millimolar) of the H⁺-pumping activity match quite closely those reported for the plasma membrane ATPase of corn roots and other plant materials.     

Localization of a proton-translocating ATPase on sucrose gradients

Ionophore-stimulated ATPase activity and ATP-dependent quinacrine quench were enriched in parallel when microsomal vesicles were prepared from corn (Crow Single Cross Hybrid WF9-Mo17) roots and collected on a cushion of 10% dextran. Activities were highest in the apical 1.5 centimeters of the roots. Vesicles collected on the dextran cushion also contained NADH cytochrome c reductase (enriched in the apical 0.5 cm of the root) and nucleoside diphosphatase (distributed throughout the first four cm). On continuous sucrose gradients, ATP-dependent proton transport and ionophore-stimulated ATPase activity coincided in a broad band extending from 1.08 to 1.15 grams per cubic centimeter with maximum activity at 1.10 to 1.12 grams per cubic centimeter. Large portions of the proton-translocating ATPase activity and ionophore-stimulated ATPase activity were clearly separable from mitochondrial membranes containing cytochrome c oxidase activity and azide-sensitive, pH 8.5 ATPase activity and from membranes bearing β-glucan synthetase I and II. The vesicles coincided with a minor portion of the NADH-cytochrome c reductase and nucleoside diphosphatase activities. It is suggested that the vesicles are of tonoplast origin.     

Isolation and Characterization of Concanavalin A-labeled Plasma Membranes of Carrot Protoplasts

The plasma membranes of protoplasts released from carrot suspension culture cells were labeled with [¹⁴C]acetyl-concanavalin A. After homogenization a single labeled membrane fraction was isolated in a continuous isopycnic Renografin gradient. The labeled membranes peaked at an apparent density of 1.14 grams per cubic centimeter between the Golgi fraction at a density of 1.11 grams per cubic centimeter as determined by latent IDPase activity and the mitochondria at a density of 1.16 grams per cubic centimeter as determined by the cytochrome c oxidase activity. This method provided a very discrete peak of putative plasma membrane. On discontinuous Renografin gradients a relatively pure fraction of labeled plasma membranes could be readily isolated at the 1.122 to 1.146 grams per cubic centimeter interface. The labeled fraction was enriched in both an ATPase (pH 6.5) and a glucan synthetase with a pH optimum of 6.5 whose activity was promoted by magnesium and cellobiose. Enzyme activities were not altered by the membrane label.     

Separation of the Mg-ATPases from the Ca-Phosphatase Activity of Microsomal Membranes Prepared from Barley Roots

Two methods for preparing membrane fractions from barley (Hordeum vulgare cv California Mariout 72) roots were compared in order to resolve reported differences between the characteristics of the plasma membrane ATPase of barley and that of other species. When microsomal membranes were prepared by a published procedure and applied to a continuous sucrose gradient, the membranes sedimented as a single broad band with a peak density of 1.16 grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm³). Activities of NADH cytochrome (Cyt) c reductase, Ca²⁺-ATPase, and Mg²⁺-ATPase were coincident and there was little ATP-dependent proton transport anywhere on the gradient. When the homogenization procedure was modified by increasing the pH of the buffer and the ratio of buffer to roots, the microsomal membranes separated as several components on a continuous sucrose gradient. A Ca²⁺-phosphatase was at the top of the gradient, NADH Cyt c reductase at 1.08 g/cm³, a peak of ATP-dependent proton transport at 1.09 to 1.12 g/cm³, a peak of nitrate-inhibited ATPase at 1.09 to 1.12 g/cm³, and of vanadate-inhibited ATPase at 1.16 g/cm³. The Ca²⁺-phosphatase had no preference for ATP over other nucleoside di- and tri-phosphates and was separated from the vanadate-inhibited ATPase on a sucrose gradient; approximately 70% of the Ca²⁺-phosphatase was removed from the microsomes by washing with 150 millimolar KCl. The vanadate-sensitive ATPase required Mg²⁺, was highly specific for ATP, and was not affected by the KCl wash. These results show that barley roots have a plasma membrane ATPase similar to that of other plant species.     

Electrical noise measurements on red beet vacuoles : another way to detect the ATPase activity

The vacuolar potential (V_vac) and its fluctuations were recorded in red beet vacuoles (Beta vulgaris L.). Measurements with vacuoles in their suspension medium gave V_vac = 10 ± 2 millivolts (referred to the external medium) when 3 molar KCl microelectrodes were used. Buffering the microelectrode filling solution at pH 7.7 reversed the sign of the potential: V_vac = −7 ± 2 millivolts. The magnitude of the potential fluctuations was lowered by dilution (5-1000 times) with the suspension medium containing components released by the cells during the mechanical preparation. Fluctuations were decreased by 50 millimolar KNO₃ while they were enhanced by 5 millimolar ATP-Mg. No noticeable change in membrane resistance was detected. The presence of an ATPase bound to the tonoplast may explain the recorded noise spectra. These spectra imply a close connection between the rate of ATPase functioning and the magnitude of ionic fluxes across the tonoplast. It is suggested that noise analysis could be used to detect ATPase (or related enzyme) activity in vacuoles. Possible use of H⁺ diffusion through a buffered microelectrode, to modify intravacuolar pH, is also suggested.     

Calcium transport in tonoplast and endoplasmic reticulum vesicles isolated from cultured carrot cells

Two active calcium (Ca²⁺) transport systems have been identified and partially characterized in membrane vesicles isolated from cultured carrot cells (Daucus carota Danvers). Both transport systems required MgATP for activity and were enhanced by 10 millimolar oxalate. Ca²⁺ transport in membrane vesicles derived from isolated vacuoles equilibrated at 1.10 grams per cubic centimeter and comigrated with Cl⁻-stimulated, NO₃⁻-inhibited ATPase activity on sucrose density gradients. Ca²⁺ transport in this system was insensitive to vanadate, but was inhibited by nitrate, carbonyl cyanide-m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP), N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCCD), and 4,4-diisothiocyano-2,2′-stilbene disulfonic acid (DIDS). The K_m for MgATP and Ca²⁺ were 0.1 mm and 21 micromolar, respectively. The predominant Ca²⁺ transport system detectable in microsomal membrane preparations equilibrated at a density of 1.13 grams per cubic centimeter and comigrated with the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) marker, antimycin A-insensitive NADH-dependent cytochrome c reductase. Ca²⁺ transport activity and the ER marker also shifted in parallel in ER shifting experiments. This transport system was inhibited by vanadate (I₅₀ = 12 micromolar) and was insensitive to nitrate, CCCP, DCCD, and DIDS. Transport exhibited cooperative MgATP dependent kinetics. Ca²⁺ dependent kinetics were complex with an apparent K_m ranging from 0.7 to 2 micromolar. We conclude that the vacuolar-derived system is a Ca²⁺/H⁺ antiport located on the tonoplast and that the microsomal transport system is a Ca,Mg-ATPase enriched on the ER. These two Ca²⁺ transport systems are proposed to restore and maintain cytoplasmic Ca²⁺ homeostasis under changing cellular and environmental conditions.     

Isolation and enzymic characterization of euglena proplastids

Organelles were isolated from dark-grown Euglena gracilis Klebs by sucrose density gradient centrifugation. Plastids, identified by triosephosphate isomerase and NADP glyoxylate reductase were present at an equilibrium density of 1.24 grams per cubic centimeter clearly separated from mitochondria at an equilibrium density of 1.22 grams per cubic centimeter. Assay for choline phosphotransferase and glucose-6-phosphatase showed that endoplasmic reticulum membranes were present at a density of 1.12 grams per cubic centimeter. The plastid fraction contained phosphofructokinase, pyruvate kinase, triosephosphate isomerase and aldolase indicating the operation of a glycolytic pathway. During regreening pyruvate kinase and phosphofructokinase in the developing proplastid decreased, neither enzyme being present in the mature chloroplast. However, plastids were present in the photosynthetic cell as shown by a peak of glycolysis enzymes at an equilibrium density of 1.24 grams per cubic centimeter.     

Spherosomes of Castor Bean Endosperm: MEMBRANE COMPONENTS, FORMATION, AND DEGRADATION

The membrane components of the castor bean spherosomes were characterized. The storage triacylglycerols of isolated spherosomes were extracted with diethyl ether, and the membrane was isolated by sucrose gradient centrifugation. It had an apparent equilibrium density of 1.12 grams per cubic centimeter, and possessed an antimycin A-insensitive NADH cytochrome c reductase and an acid lipase. Phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, and phosphatidylinositol in roughly equal amounts were the major phospholipids. The membrane proteins were resolved into several major and minor protein bands of molecular weights ranging from 10,000 to 70,000 by acrylamide gel electrophoresis, and the protein pattern in the gel was different from those of the endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondrial, and glyoxysomal membranes.     

Partial purification of a tonoplast ATPase from corn coleoptiles

The tonoplast ATPase from corn coleoptile membranes was solubilized using a two-step procedure consisting of a pretreatment with 0.15% (w/v) deoxycholate to remove 60% of the protein, and 40 millimolar octyl-glucoside to solubilize the ATPase. During ultracentrifugation, the solublized ATPase entered a linear sucrose gradient faster than the majority of the protein, resulting in an 11-fold purification over the initial specific activity. The partially purified ATPase was almost completely inhibited by KNO₃ with an estimated K_i of 10 millimolar. The specific activity of the KNO₃-sensitive ATPase was increased 29-fold during purification. N,N′-Dicyclohexylcarbodiimide also completely inhibited the ATPase with half-maximal effects at a concentration of 4 micromolar. Neither vanadate nor azide inhibited enzyme activity. The purified ATPase was stimulated by Cl⁻ and preferred Mg-ATP as substrate. Analysis of frations from the sucrose gradient by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis led to the identification of two major polypeptides at 72,000 and 62,000 daltons which were best correlated with ATPase activity. Several minor bands also appeared to copurify with enzyme activity, but were less consistent. Radiation inactivation experiments with intact membranes indicated that the functional molecular size of the tonoplast ATPase was nearly 400,000 daltons. This suggests that the ATPase is composed of several polypeptides, possibly including the 72,000- and 62,000-dalton proteins.     

Pyrophosphate-driven proton transport by microsomal membranes of corn coleoptiles

Corn (Zea mays L. cv Trojan T929) coleoptile membranes were fractionated on isopycnic sucrose density gradients. Two peaks of ATP-driven H⁺-transport activity, corresponding to the previously characterized tonoplast (1.07 grams per cubic centimeter) and Golgi (1.13 grams per cubic centimeter) fractions (Chanson and Taiz, Plant Physiol 1985 78: 232-240) were localized. Coincident with these were two peaks of inorganic pyrophosphate (PPi)-driven H⁺-transport. At saturating (3 millimolar) concentrations of Mg²⁺:ATP, the rate of proton transport was further enhanced by the addition of 3 millimolar PPi, and the stimulation was additive, i.e. equal to the sum of the two added separately. The specific PPi analog, imidodiphosphate, antagonized PPi-driven H⁺-transport, but had no effect on ATP-driven transport. Moreover, PPi-dependent proton transport in both tonoplast-enriched and Golgi-enriched fractions was strongly promoted by 50 millimolar KNO₃, unlike the ATP-dependent H⁺-pumps of the same membranes. Taken together, the results indicate that PPi-driven proton transport is mediated by specific membrane-bound H⁺-translocating pyrophosphatases. Both potassium and a permanent anion (NO₃⁻ > Cl⁻), were required for maximum activity. The PPi-driven proton pumps were totally inhibited by N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, but were insensitive to 100 millimolar vanadate. The PPi concentration in coleoptile extracts was determined using an NADH oxidation assay system coupled to purified pyrophosphate:fructose 6-phosphate 1-phosphotransferase (EC 2.7.1.90). The total pyrophosphate content of corn coleoptiles was 20 nanomoles/gram fresh weight. Assuming a cytoplasmic location, the calculated PPi concentration is sufficient to drive proton transport at 20% of the maximum rate measured in vitro for the tonoplast-enriched fraction, and 10% of the maximum rate for the Golgi-enriched fraction.     

Isolation and characterization of the protein body membrane of castor beans

Intact protein bodies were isolated from dry castor bean seeds (Ricinus communis L.) after homogenization in nonaqueous medium. After repeated washing with glycerol to remove trapped lipid globules, the soluble matrix proteins were removed by the addition of aqueous buffer. The membrane remained attached to the insoluble protein crystalloids and was subsequently released by sonication. Purification of the membrane vesicles in a sucrose gradient produced a single band at a density of 1.21 grams per cubic centimeter. Treatment with 6 molar urea, 1 molar KCl, or 0.25 molar galactose had no effect on the equilibrium density of the membrane. Electron microscopy revealed a highly pure and uniform collection of membrane vesicles. No enzyme activity was specifically associated with the membrane. Sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis of the protein body fractions showed that the membrane contained unique proteins, two of which were glycosylated. The membrane contained 153 nanomoles of phospholipid per milligram of protein. The composition of the phosphoglycerides was 51% ethanolamine, 41% choline, 8% inositol, and a trace of serine.     

Orientation and integrity of plasma membrane vesicles obtained from carrot protoplasts

Two fractions enriched in plasma membrane derived from suspension-cultured carrot (Daucus carota L.) cells were examined to determine if they differed from each other either in physical nature or in orientation. Parameters studied included the protein composition of purified membranes derived from trypsinized and nontrypsinized protoplasts as well as from trypsinized purified plasma membranes, the effect of inhibitors and membrane perturbants on ATPase activity, the binding of [acetyl-¹⁴C]concanavalin A to purified membrane fractions, and the competitive removal of [acetyl-¹⁴C]concanavalin A from purified membranes derived from [acetyl-¹⁴C]concanavalin A-labeled protoplasts. One fraction (at density of 1.102 grams per cubic centimeter on Renografin gradients) appears to be a mixed population of `tightly' sealed vesicles with the majority being rightside-out vesicles of plasma membrane, and the other fraction (density 1.128 grams per cubic centimeter) apparently is a population of predominantly `leaky' vesicles and/or nonvesicular fragments of plasma membrane, a large portion of which appear to be `leaky' inside-out vesicles. In addition, it is shown that plasma membrane-enriched fractions can be distinguished from cellular endomembranes on the basis of protein and glycoprotein composition.