Valine uptake in the tap root of sugar beet: a comparative analysis with sucrose uptake

Given the lack of data on the absorption of amino acids in the tap root of Beta vulgaris, we studied the uptake of valine and compared it with that of sucrose at the same concentration (1 mM). The uptake of both substrates shared some similar characteristics. In particular, the absorption in both cases was controlled by an active process as evidenced by the inhibitory effect of CCCP and inhibitors of ATPases (DES, DCCD, orthovanadate). Both absorptions also involved the thiol and histidyl groups of protein carriers included in the plasmalemma as shown by treatment with specific compounds (PCMBS, mersalyl, NEM) inhibiting the transport of the nutrients in tissues and in purified PMV. However, it was shown that these uptakes present major differences. Firstly, unlike sucrose uptake, valine uptake was very sensitive to transmembrane electrical potential. Indeed, hyperpolarizing treatment with FC increased valine uptake but did not modify sucrose uptake. By contrast, treatment with high concentrations of KCl, which should result in depolarization of the cells, considerably decreased valine uptake and activated sucrose uptake. Secondly, ion mobilizations were different in the two types of transport. Unlike sucrose, application of valine to tissues strongly modified the time course of H+ influx. By contrast, sucrose uptake was controlled by K+ involvement as shown by effects either of modulators of K+ mobilization (LiCl, TEA) or of treatments inducing K+ starvation from the external medium.