Responses to aluminium of suspension-cultured tobacco cells in a simple calcium solution

Abstract In a simple solution containing 3 mM CaCl2 and 3% sucrose (pH 4.5), tobacco cells (Nicotiana tabacum L.) at the logarithmic phase of growth remained viable at least for 24 h. In this medium, the toxic effect of aluminium (Al) on the plasma membrane was investigated for up to 24 h. After the addition of Al to the cell suspension, Al started to accumulate immediately in the cells, and a maximum value was observed at 9 h. Al induced callose deposition, but did not enhance significantly the uptake of Evans blue (a nonpermeating dye), the per oxidation of lipids and the leakage of potassium (K) ions. Furthermore, the AI-treated cells were stained with fluorescein diacetate (FDA) as much as untreated control cells. These results suggest that the accumulation of Al does not damage the membrane. The addition of Fe(II) to the cells which had been exposed to Al for 12 h resulted in immediate lipid peroxidation and Evans blue uptake several hours later. A combination of Al and Fe(II) caused the K leakage, a...