Distribution of plasma membrane H+-ATPase and polar current patterns in leaves and stems of Elodea canadensis

The proton pumping ATPase in the plasma membrane of Elodea canadensis is believed to play a major role in inorganic carbon acquisition. To investigate potentially different carbon uptake strategies within the same plant, plasma membrane H+-ATPase distribution and polar current patterns were investigated in Elodea leaves and stems. Specific activity of plasma membrane H+-ATPase in leaf microsomal fractions was tenfold higher than in stem derived microsomes. Probing western blots with a monoclonal antibody specific for plasma membrane H+-ATPase, yielded strongly visible double bands at 100 kDa in leaf microsome preparations, whereas little antigen was detected in analogous stem microsome preparations. Using the same plasma membrane H+-ATPase specific antibody on tissue sections, the enzyme was found almost exclusively localized at the border of cells at the lower leaf surface. A positive ion current leaving the lower leaf surface was measured, using a vibrating probe device. Part of this current entered the upper leaf surface and part of it the internodes of the stem. The experimental results support the view, that Elodea leaves have different means of inorganic carbon uptake than stem internodes.