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M H Goldsmith

Publications and source records attributed to M H Goldsmith.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

On polar auxin transport in plant cells.

We present here explicit mathematical formulas for calculating the concentration, mass, and velocity of movement of the center of mass of the plant growth regulator auxin during its polar movement through a linear file of cells. The results of numerical computations for two cases, (a) the conservative, in which the mass in the system remains constant and (b) the non-conservative, in which the system acquires mass at one end and loses it at the other, are graphically presented. Our approach differs from that of Mitchison's (Mitchison 1980) in considering both initial effects of loading and end effects of substance leaving the file of cells. We find the velocity varies greatly as mass is entering or leaving the file of cells but remains constant as long as most of the mass is within the cells. This is also the time for which Mitchison's formula for the velocity, which neglects end effects, reflects the true velocity of auxin movement. Finally, the predictions of the model are compared with two sets of experimental data. Movement of a pulse of auxin through corn coleoptiles is well described by the theory. Movement of auxin through zucchini shoots, however, shows the need to take into account immobilization of auxin by this tissue during the course of transport.

Biological Transport↗

Movement of pulses of labeled auxin in corn coleoptiles.

The transit of indole-3-acetic acid through 20-mm sections of corn coleoptiles can be separated from processes involved in the uptake of auxin by the section and the exit of auxin from the section. Aerobic sections are supplied with an exogenous source of (14)C IAA for a limited time, and after the source is removed, a pulse of (14)C IAA moves down at 12 to 15 mm/hour. After transfer to nitrogen, movement of the pulse at the aerobic rate persists for about 10 minutes; thereafter drops to only 1 to 2 mm/hour and remains at this level during the next 4 hours. Within 2 hours, 70% of the total (14)C in aerobic sections has moved 10 mm or more down the section from the position of the initial peak, whereas after the same time in nitrogen less than 10% of the total (14)C has moved as far. During the migration down the coleoptile, the peak of radioactivity becomes broader and less distinct. This dispersion is more rapid in aerobic than anaerobic sections, but appears to be nonpolar and to occur along the existing concentration gradients. Diffusion probably contributes to this dispersion. In both inhibited and uninhibited sections, the movement of the peak, in contrast to its dispersion, is A) polar (downward) and B) independent of existing concentration gradients. Thus transit within the section possesses the fundamental properties of the overall transport system. The reduced amount of transport in inhibited sections is more likely maintained by glycolysis than by a low level of aerobic respiration dependent on the residual oxygen in the tissue.

Biological Transport↗

Movement of indoleacetic acid in coleoptiles of Avena sativa L. II. Suspension of polarity by total inhibition of the basipetal transport.

Acropetal and basipetal movement of indole-3-acetic acid through coleoptiles of Avena sativa L. was studied. Sections 10-mm long were supplied with either apical or basal sources containing C(14) carboxyl-labeled indoleacetic acid (10(-5)m). Anaerobic conditions inhibit metabolically dependent movement (transport) thus reducing basipetal but not acropetal movement. Total inhibition of basipetal transport abolishes the polarity of auxin uptake and movement. The nonpolar movement that remains in anaerobic sections is free diffusion with an average diffusion coefficient of approximately 1 x 10(-4) mm(2) per second. During an 8-hour diffusion, at least the first millimeter of the section comes to equilibrium at approximately the same concentration as the donor.Acropetal movement is probably by diffusion and is accompanied by an aerobic immobilization of indoleacetic acid that increases more than proportionally to concentration. Anaerobic conditions totally prevent this immobilization and reduce acropetal uptake but not the amount of indoleacetic acid moving into the upper parts of the section; there is, therefore, no evidence for acropetal transport. Polarity of auxin movement in aerobic coleoptile sections is achieved by strict basipetal transport of auxin. The basipetal transport may intensify the polarity by recycling auxin that is moving acropetally.

Biological Transport↗