Enhancement of Na+ Uptake Currents, Time-Dependent Inward-Rectifying K+ Channel Currents, and K+Channel Transcripts by K+ Starvation in Wheat Root Cells

Abstract

Abstract Excessive low-affinity Na+ uptake is toxic to the growth of glycophytic plants. Recently, several reports have suggested that the interaction between K+ and Na+ uptake might represent a key factor in determining the Na+ tolerance of plants. We investigated the effects of K+ starvation on Na+ and K+ uptake mechanisms in the plasma membrane of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) root cortex cells using the patch-clamp technique. Unexpectedly, K+starvation of wheat seedlings was found to enhance the magnitude and frequency of occurrence of time-dependent inward-rectifying K+ channel currents (IK  +  in). We examined whether the transcription of a wheat root K+  in channel gene is induced by K+ starvation. A cDNA coding for a wheat root K+ channel homolog, TaAKT1 (accession no.AF207745), was isolated. TaAKT1 mRNA levels were up-regulated in roots in response to withdrawal of K+ from the growth medium. Furthermore, K+ starvation caused an enhancement of instantaneous Na+ currents (INa  +). Electrophysiological analyses suggested that IK  +  in and INa  + are not mediated by the same transport protein based on: (a) different activation curves, (b) different time dependencies, (c) different sensitivities to external Ca2+, and (d) different cation selectivities. These data implicate a role for INa  + in Na+ uptake and stress during K+ starvation, and indicate that K+  in channels may contribute to K+-starvation-induced K+ uptake in wheat roots.