Immunocytolocalization of Plasma Membrane H-ATPase

The localization of plasma membrane H⁺-ATPase has been studied at the optical microscope level utilizing frozen and paraffin sections of Avena sativa and Pisum sativum, specific anti-ATPase polyclonal antibody, and second antibody coupled to alkaline phosphatase. In leaves and stems the ATPase is concentrated at the phloem, supporting the notion that it generates the driving force for phloem loading. In roots the ATPase is concentrated at both the periphery (rootcap and epidermis) and at the central cylinder, including endodermis and vascular cells. This supports a `two-pump' mechanism for ion absorption, involving active uptake at the epidermis, symplast transport across the cortex, and active efflux at the xylem. The low ATPase content of root meristem and elongation zone may explain the observed transorgan H⁺ currents, which leave nongrowing parts and enter growing tips.