Cell and Developmental Biology Commons^™

Auxin induces extracellular acidification in growing shoot tissue. The causal relationship between this process and auxin-mediated growth is debated, partly because of contradicting previous reports on the temporal correlation of auxin-induced apoplast pH-drops and growth bursts. We have simultaneously measured both parameters on the background of spontaneously occurring endogenous changes in growth rate and apoplast pH in maize coleoptile segments. Our data demonstrate good temporal correlation, during both the ‘Spontaneous Growth Response’ and the response to exogenous auxin, which is transient under the conditions chosen due to rapid auxin metabolism. We suggest that cell wall pH and growth rate are …

Cell-wall acidification and electrical reactions (depolarization and hyperpolarization) are typical auxin responses in maize (Zea mays L.) coleoptiles. In an attempt to test the role of the outer epidermis in these responses, they have been measured and compared in intact and peeled coleoptile fragments. To exclude interactions between parenchymal and epidermal cells, the coleoptile pieces were completely stripped of their outer epidermis. This preparation was monitored by means of a scanning electron microscope. When externally applied indole-3-acetic acid was tested, we found that neither cell-wall acidification nor the electrical membrane responses depended on the presence of intact epidermal cells.

Using abraded Zea mays L. coleoptile segments, proton extrusion has been measured in the presence of growth promoting auxins and their inactive structural analogues. Prior to application, the segments spontaneously acidified the external medium to pH 4.8 within 7 h. Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) concentration dependently decreases external pH to 4.2, fusicoccin (FC) to below 3.5. Whereas the IAA-effect spontaneously recovers and can be repeated, the FC-effect is final and irreversible. The growth promoting auxins 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T), indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and 1-naphthylacetic acid (1-NAA) all stimulate proton extrusion similar to IAA. The growth inactive structural analogues 2,3-dichlorophenoxyacetic …