Vacuolar processing enzyme positively modulates plant resistance and cell death in response to Phytophthora parasitica infection

Oomycete, particularly Phytophthora species, causes the most devastating crop diseases, such as potato late blight,and threatens the sustainable crop production worldwide. Our previous studies identified Resistance to Phytophthora parasitica 1(RTP1) as a negative regulator of Arabidopsis resistance to multiple biotrophic pathogens and RTP1 lossof-function plants displayed rapid cell death and reactive oxygen species(ROS) production during early colonization of P. parasitica. In this study, we aim to decipher the mechanism of RTP1-mediated cell death, and identify a member of vaculoar processing enzymes(VPEs), γVPE, playing a role in rtp1-mediated resistance to P. parasitica and cell death occurrence. Our results showed up-regulation of the expression of γVPE as well as increased VPE/caspase 1-like protease activity in P. parasitica-infected rtp1 mutant plants. Besides, we found that the VPE/caspase 1-like protease activity was required for the cell death occurrence in Arabidopsis plants during the infection of P. parasitica as well as rtp1-mediated resistance to P. parasitica. Further pathogenicity assays on either Arabidopsis γvpe mutant plants or leaves of Nicotiana benthamiana with transient overexpression of γVPE demonstrated γVPE could positively affect plant resistance to P. parasitica. Together, our studies suggest that γVPE might function as an important regulator of plant defense and cell death occurrence in response to P. parasitica infection, and VPE/caspase 1-like protease activity is required for rtp1-mediated resistance to P. parasitica.

Transient vacuolar changes of the crystalline lens in patients using a dispersive ophthalmic viscosurgical device

AIM:To report the clinical prognosis and pathological findings of accidental lens vacuolar changes in eyes with intraoperative exposure to a dispersive ophthalmic viscosurgical device(OVD).METHODS:Two patients who developed transient lens vacuolar changes during uneventful persistent pupillary membrane(PPM)removal surgery were presented and followed up.This event was speculated to be associated with an intraoperative dispersive OVD DisCoVisc(hyaluronic acid 1.6%-chondroitin sulfate 4.0%)exposure.Then,to provide the pathological basis for our speculation,another four cataract patients were randomly exposed to different OVDs,and their anterior lens capsules were investigated with transmission electron microscopy(TEM).RESULTS:After months,the subcapsular vacuoles in both PPM cases were gradually disappeared without visual deterioration.For the cataract patients,similar lens changes were observed intraoperatively in those exposed to a dispersive DisCoVisc but not a cohesive OVD IVIZ(sodium hyaluronate gel 1.0%).In addition,marked ultrastructural changes,including chromatin condensation,extensive cytoplasmic vacuoles,and obvious intercellular space between lens epithelial cells in the anterior lens capsules of all eyes exposed to DisCoVisc,were observed by TEM.CONCLUSION:The lens vacuolar changes may be associated with a dispersive OVD exposure.Therefore,it is not preferable to use dispersive OVDs in patients with transparent lenses or without the intention of lens extraction.In addition,close follow-ups instead of immediate lens extraction are recommended for the occurrence of similar lens lesions.

Correlation between the expressions of metastasis-associated factor-1 in colon cancer and vacuolar ATP synthase

BACKGROUND Clinical prognosis often worsens due to high recurrence rates following radical surgery for colon cancer.The examination of high-risk recurrence factors post-surgery provides critical insights for disease evaluation and treatment planning.AIM To explore the relationship between metastasis-associated factor-1 in colon cancer(MACC1)and vacuolar ATP synthase(V-ATPase)expression in colon cancer tissues,and recurrence rate in patients undergoing radical colon cancer surgery.METHODS We selected 104 patients treated with radical colon cancer surgery at our hospital from January 2018 to June 2021.Immunohistochemical staining was utilized to assess the expression levels of MACC1 and V-ATPase in these patients.RESULTS The rates of MACC1 and V-ATPase positivity were 64.42%and 67.31%,respe-ctively,in colon cancer tissues,which were significantly higher than in paracan-cerous tissues(P<0.05).Among patients with TNM stage III,medium to low differentiation,and lymph node metastasis,the positive rates of MACC1 and V-ATPase were significantly elevated in comparison to patients with TNM stage I-II,high differentiation,and no lymph node metastasis(P<0.05).The rate of MACC1 positivity was 76.67%in patients with tumor diameters>5 cm,notably higher than in patients with tumor diameters≤5 cm(P<0.05).We observed a positive correlation between MACC1 and V-ATPase expression(rs=0.797,P<0.05).The positive rates of MACC1 and V-ATPase were significantly higher in patients with recurrence compared to those without(P<0.05).Logistic regression analysis revealed TNM stage,lymph node metastasis,MACC1 expression,and V-ATPase expression as risk factors for postoperative colon cancer recurrence(OR=6.322,3.435,2.683,and 2.421;P<0.05).CONCLUSION The upregulated expression of MACC1 and V-ATPase in colon cancer patients appears to correlate with clinicopathological features and post-radical surgery recurrence.

Cloning and expression analysis of GhDET3, a vacuolar H^+-ATPase subunit C gene, from cotton

Vacuolar H^+-ATPase was regarded as a key enzyme promoting the fiber cell elongation in cotton (Gossypium hirsuturm L.) through regulating turgor-driven pressure involved in polarity expansion of single cell fiber. The DET3, a V-ATPase subunit C, plays an important role in assembling subunits and regulating the enzyme activity, and is involved in Brassinosteroid-induced cell elongation. To analyze the function of GhDET3 on the elongation of cotton fibers, seven candidates of ESTs were screened and contigged for a 5'-upstream sequence, and the 3'-RACE technique was used to clone the 3'-downstream sequence for the full length of GhDET3 gene. The full length of the target clone was 1,340 bp, including a 10 bp 5'-UTR, an ORF of 1,134 bp, and a 196 bp 3'-UTR. This cDNA sequence encoded a polypepide of 377 amino acid residues with a predicted molecular mass of 43 kDa and a basic isoelectric point of 5.58. Furthermore, a length of 3,410 bp sequence from genomic DNA of GhDET3 was also cloned by PCR. The deduced amino acid sequence had a high homology with DET3 from Arabidopsis, rice, and maize. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis showed that the GhDET3 expression pattern was ubiquitous in all the tissues and organs detected. The result also revealed that the accumulation of GhDET3 mRNA reached the highest profile at the fiber elongation stage in 12 DPA (days post anthesis) fibers, compared with the lowest level at the fiber initiation stage in 0 DPA ovules (with fibers). The transcript accumulation in fibers and ovules shared the similar variation tendency. In addition, in vitro ovule culture experiment demonstrated that exogenous 24-EBL treatment to 4 DPA ovules (with fibers) was capable of increasing the expression level of GhDET3, and the mRNA accumulation of GhDET3 increased in transgenic FBP7::GhDET2 cotton fibers in vivo. These results indicate that GhDET3 gene plays a crucial role in cotton fiber elongation.

Vacuolar invertase genes SbVIN1 and SbVIN2 are differently associated with stem and grain traits in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor)

In higher plants, vacuolar invertases play essential roles in sugar metabolism, organ development, and sink strength. In sorghum(Sorghum bicolor), two vacuolar invertase genes,Sb VIN1(Sobic. 004 G004800) and Sb VIN2(Sobic. 006 G160700) have been reported, but their enzymatic properties and functional differences are largely unknown. We combined molecular, biochemical and genomic approaches to investigate their roles in sorghum stem and grain traits. Sb VIN1 and Sb VIN2 showed different expression levels in internodes,leaves, and panicles, indicating that their importance in each organ was different. In an in vitro sucrose hydrolysis assay, proteins of both genes heterologously expressed in Pichia pastoris displayed similar enzyme properties including the same optimum reaction p H(5)and similar Kmfor sucroe(49 mmol L-1 and 45 mmol L-1 for Sb VIN1 and Sb VIN2,respectively). The optimum reaction temperatures of Sb VIN1 and Sb VIN2 were 45 °C and65 °C, respectively. Sb VIN2 showed higher tolerance to high temperature than Sb VIN1. We characterized the sequence variation of these two vacuolar invertase genes in a panel of 216 diverse inbred lines of sweet and grain sorghum and performed gene-based association analysis. Sb VIN1 showed significant associations with stem traits including stem length,stem diameter, internode number, stem fresh weight, and Brix, as well as grain traits including hundred-grain weight and grain width. Significantly associated variation sites were mainly in 5′ upstream and intron regions. Sb VIN2 only associated with grain width and stem water-soluble carbohydrates(WSCs) content. We conclude that the vacuolar invertase genes Sb VIN1 and Sb VIN2 are differently associated with stem and grain traits in sorghum.

Overexpression of vacuolar proton pump ATPase(V-H^+-ATPase) subunits B, C and H confers tolerance to salt and saline-alkali stresses in transgenic alfalfa(Medicago sativa L.)

The vacuolar proton pump ATPase（V-H^＋-ATPase）, which is a multi-subunit membrane protein complex, plays a major role in the activation of ion and nutrient transport and has been suggested to be involved in several physiological processes, such as cell expansion and salt tolerance. In this study, three genes encoding V-H^＋-ATPase subunits B（Sc VHA-B, Gen Bank： JF826506）, C（Sc VHA-C, Gen Bank： JF826507） and H（Sc VHA-H, Gen Bank： JF826508） were isolated from the halophyte Suaeda corniculata. The transcript levels of Sc VHA-B, Sc VHA-C and Sc VHA-H were increased by salt, drought and saline-alkali treatments. V-H^＋-ATPase activity was also examined under salt, drought and saline-alkali stresses. The results showed that V-H^＋-ATPase activity was correlated with salt, drought and saline-alkali stress. Furthermore, V-H^＋-ATPase subunits B, C and H（Sc VHA-B, Sc VHA-C and Sc VHA-H） from S. corniculata were introduced separately into the alfalfa genome. The transgenic alfalfa was verified by Southern and Northern blot analysis. During salt and saline-alkali stresses, transgenic lines carrying the B, C and H subunits had higher germination rates than the wild type（WT）. More free proline, higher superoxide dismutase（SOD） activity and lower malondialdehyde（MDA） levels were detected in the transgenic plants under salt and saline-alkali treatments. Moreover, the Sc VHA-B transgenic lines showed greater tolerance to salt and saline-alkali stresses than the WT. These results suggest that overexpression of Sc VHA-B, Sc VHA-C and Sc VHA-H improves tolerance to salt and saline-alkali stresses in transgenic alfalfa.

Action Mechanism Research of Lanthanons to Slow Vacuolar Ion Channels in Raphanus Satirus L.(Xinlimei) Radish by Patch-Clamp

We used whole-vacuolar patch-clamp recording mode to study the action mechanism of La3+ to Slow Vacuolar (SV) channels for the first time. We recorded SV channel currents of Xinlimei (Raphanus satirus L.) vacuolars. The minimum activation potentials of voltage-dependent SV channels tied in 25+/-5 mV. The increase in cytoplasmic Ca2+ led to enhancement of SV-type currents. It was found that the threshold potential of activation shifted towards more depolarized values whenever cytoplasmic Ca2+ was increased. When 10(-10) mol/L free La3+ was added to the bath, SV-type current was suppressed by 60 similar to 75%. These data showed La3+ reduced ion permeabilities of Xinlimei root vacuolar membrane.

Vacuolar phosphate transporters account for variation in phosphate accumulation in Astragalus sinicus cultivars

Astragalus sinicus is a commonly used legume green manure that fixes atmospheric N2 and accumulates mineral nutrients and organic substances that are beneficial to soils and subsequent crops.However,little is known about genotypic variation in,and molecular mechanisms of,Pi(phosphate)uptake and storage in A.sinicus.We recorded the morphological responses of six A.sinicus cultivars from four regions of China to external Pi application and measured their Pi accumulation.We identified full-length transcripts of Pi-signaling and Pi-homeostasis regulators by sequencing and measured the expression level of these genes by qRT-PCR.The major components in Pi signaling and Pi homeostasis were largely conserved between A.sinicus and the model species rice and Arabidopsis.Different A.sinicus varieties responded differently to low-phosphorus(P)stress,and their Pi accumulation was positively correlated with the expression of vacuolar Pi influx gene(SYG1/PHO81/XPR1-MAJOR FACILITATOR SUPERFAMILY(SPX-MFS)-TYPE PROTEIN)AsSPXMFS2 and negatively correlated with the expression of the vacuolar Pi efflux gene(VACUOLAR Pi EFFLUX TRANSPORTER)AsVPE1.We identified key Pi-signaling and Pihomeostasis regulators in A.sinicus.The expression of vacuolar Pi transporter genes could be used as an index to select A.sinicus accessions with high Pi accumulation.

Schisandrin B protects PC12 cells by decreasing the expression of amyloid precursor protein and vacuolar protein sorting 35

PC12 cell injury was induced using 20 μM amyloid β-protein 25-35 to establish a model of Alzheimer＇s disease. The cells were then treated with 5, 10, and 25 μM Schisandrin B. Methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide assays and Hoechst 33342 staining results showed that with increasing Schisandrin B concentration, the survival rate of PC12 cells injured by amyloid β-protein 25-35 gradually increased and the rate of apoptosis gradually decreased. Reverse transcription-PCR, immunocytochemical staining and western blot results showed that with increasing Schisandrin B concentration, the mRNA and protein expression of vacuolar protein sorting 35 and amyloid precursor protein were gradually decreased. Vacuolar protein sorting 35 and amyloid precursor protein showed a consistent trend for change. These findings suggest that 5, 10, and 25 μM Schisandrin B antagonizes the cellular injury induced by amyloid β-protein 25-35 in a dose-dependent manner. This may be caused by decreasing the expression of vacuolar protein sorting 35 and amyloid precursor protein.

Biogenesis of Plant Prevacuolar Multivesicular Bodies

Plant prevacuolar compartments （PVCs）, or multivesicular bodies （MVBs）, are single membrane-bound organelles that play important roles in mediating protein trafficking to vacuoles in the secretory pathway. PVC/MVB also serves as a late endosome in the endocytic pathway in plants. Since the plant PVC was iden- tified as an MVB more than 10 years ago,-great progress has been made toward the understanding of PVC/ MVB function and biogenesis in plants. In this review, we first summarize previous research into the iden- tification and characterization of plant PVCs/MVBs, and then highlight recent advances on the mechanisms underlying intraluminal vesicle formation and maturation of plant PVCs/MVBs. In addition, we discuss the possible crosstalk that appears to occur between PVCs/MVBs and autophagosomes during autophagy in plants. Finally, we list some open questions and present future perspectives in this field.

Effects of BaCl_2 on slow vacuolar ion channels on radish by patch-clamp

Effects of BaCl2 on slow vacuolar ion channels on radish by patch-clamp YANG Pin (杨 频) & ZHANG Liping (张丽平) Institute of Molecular Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China Correspondence should be addressed to Yang Pin (email: yangpin@sxu.edu.cn)

Retromer Subunits VPS35A and VPS29 Mediate Prevacuolar Compartment （PVC） Function in Arabidopsis

Intracellular protein routing is mediated by vesicular transport which is tightly regulated in eukaryotes. The protein and lipid homeostasis depends on coordinated delivery of de novo synthesized or recycled cargoes to the plasma membrane by exocytosis and their subsequent removal by rerouting them for recycling or degradation. Here, we report the characterization of protein affected trafficking 3 （pat3） mutant that we identified by an epifluorescence-based for- ward genetic screen for mutants defective in subcellular distribution of Arabidopsis auxin transporter PIN1-GFR While pat3 displays largely normal plant morphology and development in nutrient-rich conditions, it shows strong ectopic intracellular accumulations of different plasma membrane cargoes in structures that resemble prevacuolar compart- ments （PVC） with an aberrant morphology. Genetic mapping revealed that pat3 is defective in vacuolar protein sorting 35A （VPS35A）, a putative subunit of the retromer complex that mediates retrograde trafficking between the PVC and trans-Golgi network. Similarly, a mutant defective in another retromer subunit, vps29, shows comparable subcellular defects in PVC morphology and protein accumulation. Thus, our data provide evidence that the retromer components VPS35A and VPS29 are essential for normal PVC morphology and normal trafficking of plasma membrane proteins in plants. In addition, we show that, out of the three VPS35 retromer subunits present in Arabidopsis thaliana genome, the VPS35 homolog A plays a prevailing role in trafficking to the lyric vacuole, presenting another level of complexity in the retromer-dependent vacuolar sorting.

Molecular Characterization of Plant Prevacuolar and Endosomal Compartments

Prevacuolar compartments （PVCs） and endosomal compartments are membrane-bound organelles mediating protein traffic to vacuoles in the secretory and endocytic pathways of plant cells. Over the years, great progress has been made towards our understanding in these two compartments in plant cells. In this review, we will summarize our contributions toward the identification and characterization of plant prevacuolar and endosomal compartments. Our studies will serve as important steps in future molecular characterization of PVC biogenesis and PVC-mediated protein traffickinq in plant cells.

CXC趋化因子受体3对甲状腺细胞自噬与炎症的影响及机制

目的探讨CXC趋化因子受体3(CXCR3)对干扰素-γ(IFN-γ)诱导的甲状腺滤泡上皮细胞(Nthy-ori3-1)自噬及炎症的影响及相关机制。方法Nthy-ori3-1细胞分为正常组(不做任何处理)、IFN-γ组(500 U/mLIFN-γ处理24 h)、si-NC组[转染小干扰RNA(siRNA)]、si-CXCR3组(转染CXCR3 siRNA)、si-CXCR3+si-NC组(转染CXCR3 siRNA+转染siRNA)、si-CXCR3+si-Beclin1组(转染CXCR3 siRNA+转染Beclin1 siRNA)和si-CXCR3+3MA组(转染CXCR3 siRNA+3-MA自噬抑制剂)。实时荧光定量PCR检测各组CXCR3、CXC趋化因子配体9(CXCL9)的mRNA表达情况,免疫印迹法检测各组CXCR3、CXCL9、微管相关蛋白1轻链3-I(LC3I)、LC3II、囊泡转运蛋白34(Vps34)及Beclin1蛋白表达情况,免疫荧光染色观察各组细胞内自噬标志物LC3斑点数;酶联免疫吸附法试剂盒检测各组白细胞介素-6(IL-6)、肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α)和IL-1β水平;免疫共沉淀检测CXCR3与Beclin1相互作用。结果与正常组相比,IFN-γ组CXCR3、CXCL9表达水平显著升高(P<0.01);与si-NC组相比,si-CXCR3组Beclin1和Vps34表达及LC3II与LC3I比值(LC3II/LC3I)显著升高(P<0.01),LC3斑点数显著增加(P<0.01)。同时,与si-NC组相比,si-CXCR3组炎症因子IL-6、TNF-α及IL-1β的水平显著降低(P<0.01)。免疫共沉淀结果表明,CXCR3与Beclin1存在相互作用。与si-CXCR3+si-NC组相比,si-CXCR3+si-Beclin1组及si-CXCR3+3-MA组细胞的Beclin1、Vps34表达及LC3II/LC3I显著降低(P<0.01),LC3斑点数明显减弱(P<0.05);IL-6、TNF-α和IL-1β显著升高(P<0.05)。结论CXCR3可抑制Beclin1/Vps34信号通路,通过降低自噬进而促进甲状腺滤泡上皮细胞炎症。

The Formation of Anthocyanic Vacuolar Inclusions in Arabidopsis thaliana and Implications for the Sequestration of Anthocyanin Pigments

Anthocyanins are flavonoid pigments that accumulate in the large central vacuole of most plants. Inside the vacuole, anthocyanins can be found uniformly distributed or as part of sub-vacuolar pigment bodies, the Anthocyanic Vacuolar Inclusions （AVIs）. Using Arabidopsis seedlings grown under anthocyanin-inductive conditions as a model to un- derstand how AVIs are formed, we show here that the accumulation of AVIs strongly correlates with the formation of cyanidin 3-glucoside （C3G） and derivatives. Arabidopsis mutants that fail to glycosylate anthocyanidins at the 5-0 position （Sgt mutant） accumulate AVIs in almost every epidermal cell of the cotyledons, as compared to wild-type seedlings, where only a small fraction of the cells show AVIs. A similar phenomenon is observed when seedlings are treated with vanadate. Highlighting a role for autophagy in the formation of the AVIs, we show that various mutants that interfere with the autophagic process （atg mutants） display lower numbers of AVIs, in addition to a reduced accumulation of anthocyanins. Interestingly, vanadate increases the numbers of AVIs in the atg mutants, suggesting that several pathways might participate in AVl formation. Taken together, our results suggest novel mechanisms for the formation of sub-vacuolar compartments capable of accumulating anthocyanin pigments.

番茄液泡蔗糖转化酶抑制蛋白克隆、生物信息学及表达分析

液泡转化酶抑制蛋白(vacuolar invertase inhibitor, VIF)在调节植物蔗糖代谢,调控生长发育及响应逆境等方面发挥重要作用。本试验从番茄Alisa中克隆到VIF基因(SlVIF)和cDNA序列。结果显示,SlVIF基因与cDNA序列全长均为528 bp,不含有内含子,共编码175个氨基酸。SlVIF蛋白分子量为19.92 ku,理论等电点为5.53,含有一个信号肽序列,保守结构域为PMEI。系统进化关系表明,茄科物种的VIF亲缘关系最近,且基序具有一致性。组织特异性表达结果显示,在不同的番茄材料中,SlVIF的表达模式存在差异,在Heinz番茄中,其在根部有高水平的表达;在LA1589番茄中,其在果实发育的各阶段,尤其是在成熟果实及根部有高水平的表达。说明SlVIF可能通过介导蔗糖代谢影响果实成熟并调控根系生长。SlVIF受到水分胁迫的诱导,响应非生物胁迫过程。

Vacuolar Sorting Receptor （VSR） Proteins Reach the Plasma Membrane in Germinating Pollen Tubes

Vacuolar sorting receptors （VSRs） are type I integral membrane proteins that mediate the vacuolar transport of soluble cargo proteins via prevacuolar compartments （PVCs） in plants. Confocal immunofluorescent and immunogold Electron Microscope （EM） studies have localized VSRs to PVCs or multivesicular bodies （MVBs） and trans-Golgi network （TGN） in various plant cell types, including suspension culture cells, root cells, developing and germinating seeds. Here, we provide evidence that VSRs reach plasma membrane （PM） in growing pollen tubes. Both immunofluorescent and immunogold EM studies with specific VSR antibodies show that, in addition to the previously demonstrated PVC/MVB localization, VSRs also localize to PM in lily and tobacco pollen tubes prepared from chemical fixation or high-pressure freezing/frozen substitution. Such a PM localization suggests an additional role of VSR proteins in mediating protein transport to PM and endocytosis in growing pollen tubes. Using a high-speed Spinning Disc Confocal Microscope, the possible fusion between VSR-positive PVC organelles and the PM was also observed in living tobacco pollen tubes transiently expressing the PVC reporter GFP-VSR. In contrast, the lack of a prominent PM localization of GFP-VSR in living pollen tubes may be due to the highly dynamic situation of vesicular transport in this fast-growing cell type.

ESCRT-dependent vacuolar sorting and degradation of the auxin biosynthetic enzyme YUC1 flavin monooxygenase

YUC flavin monooxygenases catalyze the ratelimiting step of auxin biosynthesis. Here we report the vacuolar targeting and degradation of GFP-YUC1. GFP-YUC1 fusion expressed in Arabidopsis protoplasts or transgenic plants was primarily localized in vacuoles. Surprisingly, we established that GFP-YUC1, a soluble protein, was sorted to vacuoles through the ESCRT pathway, which has long been recognized for sorting and targeting integral membrane proteins. We further show that GFP-YUC1 was ubiquitinated and in this form GFP-YUC1 was targeted for degradation, a process that was also stimulated by elevated auxin levels. Our findings revealed a molecular mechanism of GFP-YUC1 degradation and demonstrate that the ESCRT pathway can recognize both soluble and integral membrane proteins as cargoes.

Research at channel level on the effect of LaCl3 on Radish (Raphanus satirus L.) vacuolar membrane

We recorded slow vacuolar (SV-type) channel currents of Radish vacuoles successfully for the first time by using the whole-vacuolar patch-clamp recording mode. SV-type currents would increase and threshold potentials of activation would shift towards more negative values with the increase of concentrations of cytosolic Ca2+. When 2.5 mmol/ L LaCl3 and 4 mmol/L EGTA were added to bath solutions, SV-type currents were suppressed remarkably. Then adding LaCl3 with different concentrations to pipette solutions, we found that LaCl3 with higher concentrations (】4 × 10-7mol/L) had a strong inhibitory effect on SV-type currents, while LaCl3 with lower concentrations (≤4 × 10-7mol/L) promoted channel currents. This promoting effect provides an impor-tant basis at channel level for researching further the effects of rare earth on physiological activities of plants and the production-increase effects of rare earth fertilizers on crops.

Cytosolic Ca^2＋ Signals Enhance the Vacuolar Ion Conductivity of Bulging Arabidopsis Root Hair Cells

Plant cell expansion depends on the uptake of solutes across the plasma membrane and their storage within the vacuole. In contrast to the well-studied plasma membrane, little is known about the regulation of ion transport at the vacuolar membrane. We therefore established an experimental approach to study vacuolar ion transport in intact Arabidopsis root cells, with multi-barreled microelectrodes. The subcellular position of electrodes was detected by imaging current-injected fluorescent dyes. Comparison of measurements with electrodes in the cytosol and vacuole revealed an average vacuolar membrane potential of -31 inV. Voltage clamp recordings of single vacuoles resolved the activity of voltage-independent and slowly deactivating channels. In bulging root hairs that express the Ca2＋ sensor R-GECO1, rapid elevation of the cytosolic Ca^2＋ concentration was observed, after impalement with microelectrodes, or injection of the Ca^2＋ chelator BAPTA. Elevation of the cytosolic Ca^2＋ level stimulated the activity of voltage- independent channels in the vacuolar membrane. Likewise, the vacuolar ion conductance was enhanced during a sudden increase of the cytosolic Ca^2＋ level in cells injected with fluorescent Ca^2＋ indicator FURA-2. These data thus show that cytosolic Ca^2＋ signals can rapidly activate vacuolar ion channels, which may prevent rupture of the vacuolar membrane, when facing mechanical forces.