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R Kollmann

Publications and source records attributed to R Kollmann.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

Primary and secondary plasmodesmata: structure, origin, and functioning.

In the multicellular organisms of higher plants, plasmodesmata provide pathways for intimate symplasmic communication between neighboring cells. The arguments summarized in the present review demonstrate that plasmodesmata are diverse and highly dynamic structures. Differences in the plasmodesmal origin and modifications of the plasmodesmal structure and functioning at the various cell interfaces are the basic means which give rise to a complicated and flexibile symplasmic network. This complex communication system is discussed to serve a significant role in the coordinated development and in the concerted physiological functioning of the cells within the plant tissues, organs, and organisms.

Cell Communication↗

Synchronization of mitotic activity in protoplast-derived Solanum nigrum L. microcalluses is correlated with plasmodesmal connectivity.

In protoplast-derived Solanum nigrum microcalluses, plasmodesmal connectivity and cell division behaviour of the sister cells were examined by repeated pressure-injection experiments with the fluorescent dye Lucifer Yellow (LYCH; M(r) 457) and concomitant light-microscopical long-term live observations. The studies revealed that the plasmodesmal permeability of the cultured cells differs in the distinct stages of microcallus development. There was a correlation between the symplasmic connectivity of the cells and the synchronousness of their mitotic activity. Sister cells which were symplasmically interconnected by functional plasmodesmata, permitting the diffusion of LYCH, were always found to divide synchronously. However, asynchronous mitotic divisions were exclusively observed in those sister cells whose plasmodesmata were closed to LYCH. The temporary symplasmic isolation is presumably performed by reversible gating of plasmodesmata. Repeated dye-coupling experiments on the same microcalluses showed that symplasmically interconnected sister cells may become uncoupled and vice versa, according to their division behaviour. These findings on cultured cells indicate that modulation of the symplasmic connectivity determines the synchronization of mitotic activity. Yet it remains to be proven whether this is true in planta as well. The results are discussed with respect to the possible role of plasmodesmata in exerting "supracellular control" over mitotic activity by trafficking mitosis-regulating signals.

Cell Wall↗

ATP-driven potassium transport in right-side-out membrane vesicles via the Kdp system of Escherichia coli.

The ATP-generating system described by Hugenholtz, J., Hong, J.-S. and Kaback, H.R. ((1981) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 78, 3446-3449) has been used to synthesize ATP up to 1.8 mM in right-side-out membrane vesicles from Escherichia coli. This ATP level was sufficient to drive uptake of potassium ions via the Kdp-ATPase. In the kdp wild type strain about 110 nmoles K+/mg membrane protein were accumulated. This process was still partially sensitive to the well-known inhibitors of P-type ATPases, orthovanadate and bafilomycin B1.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Rapid, high yield purification and characterization of the K(+)-translocating Kdp-ATPase from Escherichia coli.

The conventional procedure for the purification of the high affinity K+ uptake ATPase (KdpABC) from Escherichia coli involves a tedious three-column protocol (final enzyme purity, approximately 90%; activity yield, 6.5% (Siebers, A., and Altendorf, K. (1988) Eur. J. Biochem. 178, 131-140)). We have now developed a highly effective one-column (Fractogel TSK AF-Red) protocol yielding an enzyme preparation of comparable purity with severalfold higher activity yield. A further increase in enzyme purity up to 98% was achieved by a two-column protocol involving elution over DEAE-Sepharose CL-6B prior to TSK AF-Red affinity chromatography. The reduction of preparation time minimized KdpB protein degradation and led to hitherto unequaled values of specific activity (up to 2000 mumols x g-1 x min-1) and enrichment factors (up to 30-fold). Our results confirm the usefulness of triazine dye matrices for the purification of transport ATPases.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗