What role does cell membrane surface potential play in ion-plant interactions

Peng Wang, Dong Mei Zhou, An Zhen Li, Dan Dan Li

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Almost all cell membrane surfaces (CMS) are intrinsically negatively charged. These negative charges create a surface electrical potential (φ0) which affects ion concentrations at the CMS and consequently affects the phytotoxicity of metallic cations and metalloid anions in different ways. The φ0 is also controlled by the ionic composition of the bulk-phase medium (BM). Common cations, especially H+, Ca 2+ and Mg2+, can reduce the negativity of φ0 by ionic screening and binding. Treatments that reduce the negativity of φ0 would reduce the surface activity of Cu 2+ ({Cu2+}0) and increase the surface activity of arsenate ({As(V)}0) at the CMS, and consequently alleviation of Cu2+ toxicity but aggravation As toxicity would be expected. It is the φ0, rather than site-specific competition, that plays the principal role in ionic interactions and biotic effects.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)42-43
Number of pages2
JournalPlant Signaling and Behavior
Volume4
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2009
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Arsenate
  • Biotic ligand model
  • Cell membrane surface potential
  • Copper
  • Gouy-Chapman-Stern model
  • Ion-plant interaction
  • Phytotoxicity

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