Auxin-induced growth of coleoptiles depends on the presence of potassium and is suppressed by K ؉ channel blockers. To evaluate the role of K ؉ channels in auxin-mediated growth, we isolated and functionally expressed ZMK1 and ZMK2 (Zea mays K ؉ channel 1 and 2), two potassium channels from maize coleoptiles. In growth experiments, the time course of auxin-induced expression of ZMK1 coincided with the kinetics of coleoptile elongation. Upon gravistimulation of maize seedlings, ZMK1 expression followed the gravitropic-induced auxin redistribution. K ؉ channel expression increased even before a bending of the coleoptile was observed. The transcript level of ZMK2, expressed in vascular tissue, was not affected by auxin. In patch-clamp studies on coleoptile protoplasts, auxin increased K ؉ channel density while leaving channel properties unaffected. Thus, we conclude that coleoptile growth depends on the transcriptional up-regulation of ZMK1, an inwardly rectifying K ؉ channel expressed in the nonvascular tissue of this organ.

Some crucial arguments against the acid growth theory of auxin action (U Kutschera, P Schopfer [1985] Planta 163: 483-493) have been reinvestigated by simultaneous measurements of proton fluxes and growth of maize (Zea mays L.) coleoptiles. Special care was taken to obtain a mild, effective, and reproducible abrasion of the cuticle. Proton secretion rates were determined in a computer-controlled pH-stat. In some experiments, equilibrium pH was measured. Growth rates were determined simultaneously in the same vessel using a transducer-type auxanometer. It was found that (a) the timing of auxin and fusicoccin-induced (FC) proton secretion and growth matches well, (b) the equilibrum external pHs in the presence of IAA and FC are lower than previously recorded and below the so-called 'threshold-pH,' (c) neutral or alkaline unbuffered solutions partially inhibit FC and IAA-induced growth in a similar manner, (d) the action of pH, FC, and IAA on growth are not additive. It is concluded that the acidgrowth-theory correctly describes incidents taking place in the early phases of auxin-induced growth.

SummaryProtoplasts of corn coleoptiles and Arabidopsis hypocotyls respond to the plant hormone auxin with a rapid change in volume. We checked the effect of antibodies directed against epitopes of auxin-binding protein 1 from Arabidopsis thaliana (AtERabp1) and Zea mays (ZmERabp1), respectively. Antibodies raised against the C-terminus of AtERabp1 inhibited the response to auxin, while antibodies raised against a part of box a, the putative auxin-binding domain, induced a swelling response similar to that caused by auxin treatment. Synthetic C-terminal oligopeptides of ZmERabp1 also caused a swelling response. These effects occurred regardless of whether the experiments were carried out with homologous (anti-AtERabp1 antibodies on Arabidopsis protoplasts or anti-ZmERabp1 antibodies in maize protoplasts) or heterologous immunological tools. The results indicate that the auxin signal for protoplast swelling is perceived by extracellular ABP1.

SummaryThe transcript abundance of the K -channel gene ZMK1 (Zea mays K channel 1) in maize coleoptiles is controlled by the phytohormone auxin. Thus, ZMK1 is thought to function in auxin-regulated coleoptile elongation, as well as during gravitropism and phototropism. To investigate related growth phenomena in the dicotyledonous plant Arabidopsis thaliana, we screened etiolated seedlings for auxin-induced K -channel genes. Among the members of the Shaker-like K channels, we thereby identi®ed transcripts of the inward recti®ers, KAT1 (K transporter of Arabidopsis thaliana) and KAT2, to be upregulated by auxin. The phloem-associated KAT2 was localised in cotyledons and the apical part of etiolated seedlings. In contrast, the K -channel gene KAT1 was expressed in the cortex and epidermis of etiolated hypocotyls, as well as in¯ower stalks. Furthermore, KAT1 was induced by active auxins in auxin-sensitive tissues characterised by rapid cell elongation. Applying the patch-clamp technique to protoplasts of etiolated hypocotyls, we correlated the electrical properties of K currents with the expression pro®le of K -channel genes. In KAT1-knockout mutants, K currents after auxin stimulation were characterised by reduced amplitudes. Thus, this change in the electrical properties of the K -uptake channel in hypocotyl protoplasts resulted from an auxin-induced increase of active KAT1 proteins. The loss of KAT1-channel subunits, however, did not affect the auxin-induced growth rate of hypocotyls, pointing to compensation by residual, constitutive K transporters. From gene expression and electrophysiological data, we suggest that auxin regulation of KAT1 is involved in elongation growth of Arabidopsis. Furthermore, a role for KAT2 in the auxin-controlled vascular patterning of leaves is discussed.

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