Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
2055447 | Journal of Plant Physiology | 2016 | 8 Pages |
The plant hormone auxin has been widely studied with regard to synthesis, transport, signaling and functions among the land plants while there is still a lack of knowledge about the possible role for auxin regulation mechanisms in algae with “plant-like” structures. Here we use the alga Chara corallina as a model to study aspects of auxin signaling. In this respect we measured auxin on membrane potential changes and different ion fluxes (K+, H+) through the plasma membrane. Results showed that auxin, mainly IAA, could hyperpolarize the membrane potential of C. corallina internodal cells. Ion flux measurements showed that the auxin-induced membrane potential change may be based on the change of K+ permeability and/or channel activity rather than through the activation of proton pumps as known in land plants.