Release of calcium from suspension-cultured Glycine max cells by chitosan, other polycations, and polyamines in relation to effects on membrane permeability [Soybean]

• Published in: Plant physiology (Bethesda) Vol. 73; no. 3; pp. 698 - 702
• Main Authors: Young, David H., Kauss, Heinrich
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Rockville, MD American Society of Plant Physiologists 01.11.1983
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Biological and medical sciences; Calcium; Cell membranes; Cell separation; Cell walls; Chemical suspensions; chitosan; Electrolytes; Electrolytic cells; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General agronomy. Plant production; Glycine max; membrane permeability; Plant physiology and development; Plants; Polyamines; polycations; Polymers; Tissue cultures, protoplasts; Vegetative propagation. Micropropagation; Vegetative propagation. Sowing and planting. Harvesting; Leguminosae; Calcium; Cell permeability; Dicotyledones; Angiospermae; Tissu culture; Spermatophyta; Chitosan; Fodder crop; Inorganic element; Glycine max; Oil plant(vegetal)
• DOI: 10.1104/pp.73.3.698
• ISSN: 0032-0889

Treatment with chitosan of suspension-cultured Glycine max cells labeled with ^{45}\text{Ca}^{2+}$ caused a rapid release of calcium, which was complete much earlier than the chitosan-induced leakage of intracellular electrolytes and probably reflects calcium loss primarily from the cell wall and/or plasma membrane. A linear correlation was found between calcium release from chitosan-treated whole cells or isolated cell walls and the amount of chitosan bound. Other polycations (poly-L-lysine, histone, DEAE-dextran, and protamine sulfate), low molecular weight polyamines (spermine, spermidine, and putrescine) and polyanions (polygalacturonate and poly-L-aspartate, which act as chelating agents) also released calcium from whole cells and isolated cell walls; however, only the polycations increased membrane permeability. Poly-L-lysines of differing molecular weight showed a similar ability to release calcium, but their effect on membrane permeability increased with increasing molecular weight. The results suggest that the effect of polycations on permeability is not the direct result of calcium displacement from the cell surface but is probably due to cross-linking of surface components. The order of effectiveness of inorganic cations in displacing calcium from whole cells and isolated cell walls was Ca2+, Ba2+, Sr2+ > Mg2+ > K+, Na+.