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Title: Helminthosporium maydis T toxin decreased calcium transport into mitochondria of susceptible corn

Journal Article · · Plant Physiol.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1104/pp.74.4.804· OSTI ID:7096930

The effects of purified Helminthosporium maydis T (HmT) toxin on active Ca/sup 2 +/ transport into isolated mitochondria and microsomal vesicles were compared for a susceptible (T) and a resistant (N) strain of corn (Zea mays). ATP, malate, NADH, or succinate could drive /sup 45/Ca/sup 2 +/ transport into mitochondria of corn roots. Ca/sup 2 +/ uptake was dependent on the proton electrochemical gradient generated by the redox substrates or the reversible ATP synthetase, as oligomycin inhibited ATP-driven CA/sup 2 +/ uptake while KCN inhibited transport driven by the redox substrates. Purified native HmT toxin completely inhibited Ca/sup 2 +/ transport into T mitochondria at 5 to 10 nanograms per milliliter while transport into N mitochondria was decreased slightly by 100 nanograms per milliliter toxin. Malate-driven Ca/sup 2 +/ transport in T mitochondria was frequently more inhibited by 5 nanograms per milliliter toxin than succinate or ATP-driven Ca/sup 2 +/ uptake. However, ATP-dependent Ca/sup 2 +/ uptake into microsomal vesicles from either N or T corn was not inhibited by 100 nanograms per milliliter toxin. Similarly, toxin had no effect on proton gradient formation ((/sup 14/C)methylamine accumulation) in microsomal vesicles. These results show that mitochondrial and not microsomal membrane is a primary site of HmT toxin action. HmT toxin may inhibit formation of or dissipate the electrochemical proton gradient generated by substrate-driven electron transport or the mitochondrial ATPase, after interacting with a component(s) of the mitochondrial membrane in susceptible corn.

Research Organization:
Univ. of Kansas, Lawrence, KS (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
AS05-82ER13015
OSTI ID:
7096930
Journal Information:
Plant Physiol.; (United States), Vol. 74:4
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English