Transcellular delta -mu H+ in Valonia ventricosa and its effect on delayed fluorescence

The possible effect of the illumination-induced transcellular H+-gradient between the central vacuole and the external medium, on both the intensity and the kinetics of delayed fluorescence was studied by measuring both the membrane potentials and H+ fluxes across the plasmatic membranes, and the millisecond component of delayed fluorescence in single cells of the marine alga Valonia ventricosa. The kinetics of the formation of transcellular delta -mu H+ was shown to correlate with the induction kinetics of the millisecond component of delayed fluorescence. Disturbances of transcellular delta -mu H+ by electrical breakdown of the cell or by acidification of the external medium resulted in a decrease of the steady-state level of the light emission and in a decline of the minute oscillations observed in intact cells. The possible involvement of the membrane connections between the chloroplasts and the plasmatic membranes in the formation of transcellular delta-mu H+ is discussed.     

Protein Transport from the Cytoplasm into the Vacuole

The fungal vacuole is integrally involved in various cellular processes that include protein and organellar degradation and recycling. The ability to sequester numerous hydrolases within the cell makes the hydrolytic capacity of the vacuole critical under certain environmental conditions. Accordingly, cellular constituents destined for degradation are delivered to the vacuole through the secretory pathway, by endocytosis and from the cytoplasm. Different mechanisms have evolved to accommodate these multiple transport pathways. Protein transport from the cytoplasm into the vacuole in particular relies on the dynamic nature of the vacuole membrane. This review describes recent research on this topic from yeast systems and points out the direction of future studies aimed at understanding this complex organelle. Received: 13 January/Revised: 9 March 1997     

Electrical Properties of the Plasmalemma and Tonoplast in Valonia ventricosa

Studies were made on the electric potentials of the plasmalemma (E_co) and tonoplast (E_vc) in small cells (1-3 mm diameter) of Valonia ventricosa. To measure E_co, microelectrodes with long tapers were inserted into the vacuole with the path of electrode entry off-center. The microelectrode then was pushed across the vacuole and into the cytoplasm on the opposite side of the cell. A reference electrode was placed in the artificial seawater bathing the cell. A similar method was used to measure E_vc except that the reference electrode was placed in the vacuole.     

Light-Induced H+ Accumulation in the Vacuole of Nitellopsis obtusa

The effects of light on the pH in the vacuole and the electricpotential difference across the plasmalemma and the tonoplastof Nitellopsis obtusa were investigated by means of conventionaland H⁺-specific glass or antimony microelectrodes. Illuminationis found to bring about a decrease in the pH of the vacuolarsap by 0.1–0.5 units concomitant with a depolarizationof the cell. The light-induced changes of the potential differenceand the vacuolar pH depend in different ways on the pH of theexternal medium (pH_o). At pH_o 9.0 cells exhibit great light-inducedpotential changes (up to 100 mV), but only small pH changesof the vacuolar sap. At neutral or slightly acidic pH_o valuesthe amplitude of the light-induced pH changes in the vacuoleincreases up to 0.3–0.5 pH units, but the amplitudes ofthe potential changes at the plasmalemma are relatively small.At pH_o 9.0 a transient acidification of the medium is observedupon illumination whereas at lower pH values light-induced alkalinizationwas only seen. Transfer of the cells from pH_o 9.0 to pH_o 7.5results in a cell hyperpolarization by 60–80 mV and adecrease of the vacuolar pH by 0.4–0.5 units under lightconditions but has no significant effect on the potential andthe vacuolar pH in the darkness. It is proposed that mechanismsof active H⁺ extrusion from the cytoplasm are located both inthe plasmalemma and the tonoplast. The observed acidificationin the vacuole appears to be determined by a light-induced increaseof the concentration of H⁺ in the cytoplasm. The H⁺ conductionof the plasmalemma seems to increase on illumination. The patternof the light-induced H⁺ fluxes across the tonoplast and theplasmalemma depends crucially on the extent of the light-inducedchanges in the H⁺ conductance and on the electrochemical gradientfor H⁺ at the plasmalemma.     

Observations on the Structure of the Cell Walls of Valonia ventricosa and of Dictyosphaeria favulosa

The dissection of partially macerated piem of the cell wallof Valonia ventricosa is described. Laminae comprising a veryfew, or only one, of the component lamellae of the wall havebeen readily obtained. The occurrence of three directions offibrillar orientation is confirmed. In Dictyosphaeria favulosa the cell walls show three equallywell developed directions of fibrillar orientation, one forminga set of great circle meridians about the cell, so definingtwo diametrically opposite ‘poles’, and the otherstwo series of spirals, right- and left-handed, lying obliquelyto the meridians at approximately equal angles in the regionof 70°–80°. Single lamellae of Valonia walls show only one direction offibril orientation, which is parallel to the major extinctiondirection when viewed between crossed Nicol prisms. When stretchedtransversely to the fibrils these isolated lamellae open outinto networks in a characteristic fashion, indicating the presenceof some system of lateral linkages between the strands. The strands of such networks are shown by electron microscopyto be composed of aggregates of microfibrils of indefinite lengthand of diameter apparently about 100 Å. This is much lessthan the diameter (300 Å.) of similar fundamental microfibrilspreviously reported; the difference may arise from the differentmethode of preparation of the material. Electron-micrographsdo not reveal any structural basis for the lateral linkagesbetween fibrils. The mechanics of the growth of these multi-lamellate walls isbriefly considered.     

A Comparison of Acid-induced Cell Wall Loosening in Valonia ventricosa and in Oat Coleoptiles

The acid-induced loosening of cell walls of Valonia ventricosa has been compared to that of frozen-thawed oat coleoptiles. The two acid extension responses are similar in regard to the shape of the pH response curve and the increase in plastic compliance induced by acid treatment. In both systems the acid response can be inhibited by Ca²⁺ and in both the removal of the protons leads to a rapid termination of wall loosening. The two responses differ in several significant ways, however. The acid-induced extension of Valonia walls is more rapid than that of coleoptile walls, but of smaller total magnitude. Acid-induced loosening can occur in Valonia without the wall being under tension, but not in coleoptiles. The acid-induced extension of Valonia walls is not inhibited by 8 molar urea, whereas the response in oat coleoptiles is completely inhibited by this treatment. Ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA) can cause wall loosening in Valonia comparable to that produced by low pH, whereas in coleoptiles EDTA causes a much smaller response. These results with Valonia are consistent with a mechanism of acid-induced wall loosening in which a central role is played by the displacement of Ca²⁺ from the wall, while the larger part of acid-induced wall loosening in oat coleoptiles appears to be via a different mechanism.     

Vacuole Biogenesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: Protein Transport Pathways to the Yeast Vacuole

Delivery of proteins to the vacuole of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae provides an excellent model system in which to study vacuole and lysosome biogenesis and membrane traffic. This organelle receives proteins from a number of different routes, including proteins sorted away from the secretory pathway at the Golgi apparatus and endocytic traffic arising from the plasma membrane. Genetic analysis has revealed at least 60 genes involved in vacuolar protein sorting, numerous components of a novel cytoplasm-to-vacuole transport pathway, and a large number of proteins required for autophagy. Cell biological and biochemical studies have provided important molecular insights into the various protein delivery pathways to the yeast vacuole. This review describes the various pathways to the vacuole and illustrates how they are related to one another in the vacuolar network of S. cerevisiae.     

Accumulation of Vacuolar H+-Pyrophosphatase and H+-ATPase during Reformation of the Central Vacuole in Germinating Pumpkin Seeds

Protein storage vacuoles were examined for the induction of H+-pyrophosphatase (H+-PPase), H+-ATPase, and a membrane integral protein of 23 kD after seed germination. Membranes of protein storage vacuoles were prepared from dry seeds and etiolated cotyledons of pumpkin (Cucurbita sp.). Membrane vesicles from etiolated cotyledons had ATP- and pyrophosphate-dependent H+-transport activities. H+-ATPase activity was sensitive to nitrate and bafilomycin, and H+-PPase activity was stimulated by potassium ion and inhibited by dicyclohexylcarbodiimide. The activities of both enzymes increased after seed germination. On immunoblot analysis, the 73-kD polypeptide of H+-PPase and the two major subunits, 68 and 57 kD, of vacuolar H+-ATPase were detected in the vacuolar membranes of cotyledons, and the levels of the subunits of enzymes increased parallel to those of enzyme activities. Small amounts of the subunits of the enzymes were detected in dry cotyledons. Immunocytochemical analysis of the cotyledonous cells with anti-H+-PPase showed the close association of H+-PPase to the membranes of protein storage vacuoles. In endosperms of castor bean (Ricinus communis), both enzymes and their subunits increased after germination. Furthermore, the vacuolar membranes from etiolated cotyledons of pumpkin had a polypeptide that cross-reacted with antibody against a 23-kD membrane protein of radish vacuole, VM23, but the membranes of dry cotyledons did not. The results from this study suggest that H+-ATPase, H+-PPase, and VM23 are expressed and accumulated in the membranes of protein storage vacuoles after seed germination. Overall, the findings indicate that the membranes of protein storage vacuoles are transformed into those of central vacuoles during the growth of seedlings.     

A cold shock-syringe method for the preparation of an axenic culture of the giant coenocytic alga Valonia ventricosa

We developed a new method for the preparation of an axenic culture of the giant coenocytic green alga Valonia ventricosa. Aplanospore formation was induced by exposing the organism to cold shock (15°C) for one day. The aplanospore was then aseptically isolated with a syringe. The aplanospore grown on ESS₁ agar medium developed into axenic thalli (2 mm in diameter) after 2 months.     

Pyrophosphate-Fueled Na+ and H+ Transport in Prokaryotes

SUMMARY

In its early history, life appeared to depend on pyrophosphate rather than ATP as the source of energy. Ancient membrane pyrophosphatases that couple pyrophosphate hydrolysis to active H⁺ transport across biological membranes (H⁺-pyrophosphatases) have long been known in prokaryotes, plants, and protists. Recent studies have identified two evolutionarily related and widespread prokaryotic relics that can pump Na⁺ (Na⁺-pyrophosphatase) or both Na⁺ and H⁺ (Na⁺,H⁺-pyrophosphatase). Both these transporters require Na⁺ for pyrophosphate hydrolysis and are further activated by K⁺. The determination of the three-dimensional structures of H⁺- and Na⁺-pyrophosphatases has been another recent breakthrough in the studies of these cation pumps. Structural and functional studies have highlighted the major determinants of the cation specificities of membrane pyrophosphatases and their potential use in constructing transgenic stress-resistant organisms.     

Role of the Plasma Membrane H+-ATPase in K+ Transport

The role of the plant plasma membrane H+-ATPase in K+ uptake was examined using red beet (Beta vulgaris L.) plasma membrane vesicles and a partially purified preparation of the red beet plasma membrane H+-ATPase reconstituted in proteoliposomes and planar bilayers. For plasma membrane vesicles, ATP-dependent K+ efflux was only partially inhibited by 100 [mu]M vanadate or 10 [mu]M carbonyl cyanide-p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone. However, full inhibition of ATP-dependent K+ efflux by these reagents occurred when the red beet plasma membrane H+-ATPase was partially purified and reconstituted in proteoliposomes. When reconstituted in a planar bilayer membrane, the current/voltage relationship for the plasma membrane H+-ATPase showed little effect of K+ gradients imposed across the bilayer membrane. When taken together, the results of this study demonstrate that the plant plasma membrane H+-ATPase does not mediate direct K+ transport chemically linked to ATP hydrolysis. Rather, this enzyme provides a driving force for cellular K+ uptake by secondary mechanisms, such as K+ channels or H+/K+ symporters. Although the presence of a small, protonophore-insensitive component of ATP-dependent K+ transport in a plasma membrane fraction might be mediated by an ATP-activated K+ channel, the possibility of direct K+ transport by other ATPases (i.e. K+-ATPases) associated with either the plasma membrane or other cellular membranes cannot be ruled out.     

Transport ratios of reconstituted (H+ + K+)-ATPase

Gastric (H+ + K+)-ATPase was reconstituted into artificial phosphatidylcholine/cholesterol vesicles by means of a freeze-thaw-sonication procedure. The passive and active transport mediated by these vesicles were measured (Skrabanja, A.T.P., Asty, P., Soumarmon, A., De Pont, J.J.H.H.M. and Lewin, M.J.M. (1986) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 860, 131-136). To determine real initial velocities, the proteoliposomes were separated from non-incorporated enzyme, by means of centrifugation on a sucrose gradient. The purified proteoliposomes were used to measure active H+ and Rb+ transport, giving at room-temperature velocities of 46.3 and 42.5 mumol per mg per h, respectively. A transport ratio of two cations per ATP hydrolyzed was also measured. These figures indicate that the enzyme catalyzes an electroneutral H+-Rb+ exchange.     

Transport Systems of Ventricaria ventricosa: Asymmetry of the Hyper- and Hypotonic Regulation Mechanisms

Hyper- and hypotonic stresses elicit apparently symmetrical responses in the alga Ventricaria. With hypertonic stress, membrane potential difference (PD) between the vacuole and the external medium becomes more positive, conductance at positive PDs (Gmpos) increases and KCl is actively taken up to increase turgor. With hypotonic stress, the membrane PD becomes more negative, conductance at negative PDs (Gmneg) increases and KCl is lost to decrease turgor. We used inhibitors that affect active transport to determine whether agents that inhibit the K(+) pump and hypertonic regulation also inhibit hypotonic regulatory responses. Cells whose turgor pressure was held low by the pressure probe (turgor-clamped) exhibited the same response as cells challenged by hyperosmotic medium, although the response was maintained longer than in osmotically challenged cells, which regulate turgor. The role of active K(+) transport was confirmed by the effects of decreased light, dichlorophenyldimethyl urea and diethylstilbestrol, which induced a uniformly low conductance (quiet state). Cells clamped to high turgor exhibited the same response as cells challenged by hypo-osmotic medium, but the response was similarly transient, making effects of inhibitors hard to determine. Unlike clamped cells, cells challenged by hypo-osmotic medium responded to inhibitors with rapid, transient, negative-going PDs, with decreased Gmneg and increased Gmpos (linearized I-V), achieving the quiet state as PD recovered. These changes are different from those exerted on the pump state, indicating that different transport systems are responsible for turgor regulation in the two cases.     

H+-Independent Glutamine Transport in Plant Root Tips

Background

Glutamine is one of the primary amino acids in nitrogen assimilation and often the most abundant amino acid in plant roots. To monitor this important metabolite, a novel genetically encoded fluorescent FRET-reporter was constructed and expressed in Arabidopsis thaliana. As a candidate for the glutamine fluxes, the root tip localized, putative amino acid transporter CAT8 was analyzed and heterologously expressed in yeast and oocytes.

Principal Findings

Rapid and reversible in vivo fluorescence changes were observed in reporter-expressing root tips upon exposure and removal of glutamine. FRET changes were detected at acid and neutral pH and in the presence of a protonophore, suggesting that part of the glutamine fluxes were independent of the pH. The putative amino acid transporter CAT8 transported glutamine, had a half maximal activity at ∼100 µM and the transport was independent of external pH. CAT8 localized not only to the plasma membrane, but additionally to the tonoplast, when tagged with GFP. Ultrastructural analysis confirmed this dual localization and additionally identified CAT8 in membranes of autophagosomes. Loss-of function of CAT8 did not affect growth in various conditions, but over-expressor plants had increased sensitivity to a structural substrate analog, the glutamine synthetase inhibitor L-methionine sulfoximine.

Conclusions

The combined data suggest that proton-independent glutamine facilitators exist in root tips.     

Transport of a Large Oligomeric Protein by the Cytoplasm to Vacuole Protein Targeting Pathway

Aminopeptidase I (API) is transported into the yeast vacuole by the cytoplasm to vacuole targeting (Cvt) pathway. Genetic evidence suggests that autophagy, a major degradative pathway in eukaryotes, and the Cvt pathway share largely the same cellular machinery. To understand the mechanism of the Cvt import process, we examined the native state of API. Dodecameric assembly of precursor API in the cytoplasm and membrane binding were rapid events, whereas subsequent vacuolar import appeared to be rate limiting. A unique temperature-sensitive API-targeting mutant allowed us to kinetically monitor its oligomeric state during translocation. Our findings indicate that API is maintained as a dodecamer throughout its import and will be useful to study the posttranslational movement of folded proteins across biological membranes.     

H+ Transport across the Plasmalemma and Tonoplast of Nitellopsis obtusa during Excitation

Measurements of intra- and extracellular pH during the excitationof Nitellopsis obtusa were carried out with antimony microelectrodesat conditions of dark adaptation and of continuous illumination.The pH of the vacuolar sap of both dark-adapted and illuminatedcells increased during cell excitation by 0·1–0·15units. H⁺ ions which had entered the cytoplasm during excitationin dark-adapted cells were extruded back into the vacuole acrossthe tonoplast. After cell excitation in the light H⁺ ions wereextruded from the cytoplasm also into the external medium probablyacross the light-stimulated active H⁺-channels. Protoplasmicstreaming ceased during excitation in the dark for 1–3min, and during excitation in the light—for 5–20s.