Al3+ induced membrane potential changes in Nitellopsis obtusa cells

Abstract

To study the mechanism of aluminium toxicity in plant cells, the effects of aluminium on the electrogenesis of plasma membrane were investigated. We analyzed Al3+ induced membrane potential (Em) changes and potential changes during generation of the action potential (AP) in the internodal cells of Nitellopsis obtusa. Al3+ modified Em decrease significantly. Al3+ didn’t attenuate the amplitude of the action potential too much, though the peak value of the action potential increased. The S of the second stage of AP repolarization was about 32 mV in positive direction as a result of Al3+ treatment. Al3+ has been suggested to affect Ca2+ homeostasis and H+-ATPase activity. Keywords: aluminium (Al toxicity), Characeae, Nitellopsis obtusa, membrane potential, action potential, Ca2+ homeostasis, electrogenic H+ pump