Cation channels in the Arabidopsis plasma membrane

• Published in: Trends in Plant Science 2002-04, Vol.7 (4), p.168-175
• Main Authors: Véry, Anne-Aliénor, Sentenac, Hervé
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Arabidopsis; Arabidopsis - genetics; Arabidopsis - metabolism; Biological and medical sciences; Ca 2+ channel; Calcium Channel Blockers - pharmacology; Calcium Channels - drug effects; Calcium Channels - genetics; Calcium Channels - metabolism; Cell Membrane - drug effects; Cell Membrane - metabolism; Cell physiology; CNGC; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; glutamate receptor; K + channel; Life Sciences; Plant physiology and development; Plasma membrane and permeation; poorly selective channel; Potassium Channel Blockers - pharmacology; Potassium Channels - drug effects; Potassium Channels - genetics; Potassium Channels - metabolism; Shaker; Signal Transduction - genetics; Vegetal Biology
• ISSN: 1360-1385; 1878-4372
• DOI: 10.1016/S1360-1385(02)02262-8

In vivo analyses have identified different functional types of ion channels in various plant tissues and cells. The Arabidopsis genome contains ∼70 genes for ion channels, of which 57 might be cation-selective channels (K +, Ca 2+ or poorly discriminating channels). Here, we describe the different families of (putative) cation channels: the Shakers, the two-P-domain and Kir K + channels (encoded by the KCO genes), the cyclic-nucleotide-gated channels, the glutamate receptors, and the Ca 2+ channel TPC1. We also compare molecular data with the data obtained in planta, which should lead to a better understanding of the identity of these channels and provide clues about their roles in plant nutrition and cell signalling. The various cation channel activities characterized in situ in the plasma membrane of Arabidopsis in light of the different ion channel gene families identified in the genome of this species.