Rj. Davenport et M. Tester, A weakly voltage-dependent, nonselective cation channel mediates toxic sodium influx in wheat, PLANT PHYSL, 122(3), 2000, pp. 823-834
To determine the transporters responsible for toxic Na+ influx in wheat (Tr
iticum aestivum), root plasma membrane preparations were screened using the
planar lipid bilayer technique as an assay for Na+-permeable ion channel a
ctivity. The predominant channel in the bilayer was a 44-pS channel that we
called the nonselective cation (NSC) channel, which was nonselective for m
onovalent cations and weakly voltage dependent. Single channel characterist
ics of the NSC channel were compared with Na-22(+) influx into excised root
segments. Na+ influx through the NSC channel resembled Na-22(+) influx in
its partial sensitivity to inhibition by Ca2+, Mg2+, and Gd3+, and its inse
nsitivity to all other inhibitors tested (tetraethylammonium, quinine, Cs+,
tetrodotoxin, verapamil, amiloride, and flufenamate). Na+ influx through t
he NSC channel also closely resembled an instantaneous current in wheat roo
t protoplasts (S.D. Tyerman, M. Skerrett, A. Garill, G. P. Findlay, R. Leig
h [1997] J Exp hot 48: 459-480) in its permeability sequence, selectivity f
or K+ over Na+ (approximately 1.25), insensitivity to tetraethylammonium, v
oltage independence, and partial sensitivity to Ca2+. Comparison of tissue,
protoplast (S.D. Tyerman, M. Skerrett, A. Garill, G. P. Findlay, R. Leigh
[1997] J Exp Bot 48: 459-480), and single-channel data indicate that toxic
Na+ influx is catalyzed by a single transporter, and this is likely to be t
he NSC channel identified in planar lipid bilayers.