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Interaction between electron transport at the plasma membrane and nitrate uptake by maize (Zea mays L.) roots

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Summary

In the present study nitrate uptake by maize (Zea mays L.) roots was investigated in the presence or absence of ferricyanide (hexacyanoferrate III) or dicumarol. Nitrate uptake caused an alkalization of the medium. Nitrate uptake of intact maize seedlings was inhibited by ferricyanide while the effect of dicumarol was not very pronounced. Nitrite was not detected in the incubation medium, neither with dicumarol-treated nor with control plants after application of 100 μM nitrate to the incubation solution. In a second set of experiments interactions between nitrate and ferricyanide were investigated in vivo and in vitro. Nitrate (1 or 3 mM) did neither influence ferricyanide reductase activity of intact maize roots nor NADH-ferricyanide oxidoreductase activity of isolated plasma membranes. Nitrate reductase activity of plasma-membrane-enriched fractions was slightly stimulated by 25 μM dicumarol but was not altered by 100 μM dicumarol, while NADH-ferricyanide oxidoreductase activity was inhibited in the presence of dicumarol. These data suggest that plasma-membrane-bound standard-ferricyanide reductase and nitrate reductase activities of maize roots may be different. A possible regulation of nitrate uptake by plasmalemma redox activity, as proposed by other groups, is discussed.

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Abbreviations

ADH:

alcohol dehydrogenase

HCF III:

hexacyanoferrate III (ferricyanide)

ME:

NADP-dependent malic enzyme

NR:

nitrate reductase

PM:

plasma membrane

PM NR:

nitrate reductase copurifying with plasma membranes

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Allgemeine Botanik, Universität Hamburg, Ohnhorststrasse 18, 22609, Hamburg, Federal Republic of Germany

    D. Steffen, O. Döring, M. A. Busch, M. Böttger & S. Lüthje

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  1. D. Steffen
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  2. O. Döring
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  3. M. A. Busch
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  4. M. Böttger
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  5. S. Lüthje
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Steffen, D., Döring, O., Busch, M.A. et al. Interaction between electron transport at the plasma membrane and nitrate uptake by maize (Zea mays L.) roots. Protoplasma 217, 70–76 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01289416

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01289416

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