Systems analysis of membrane transport and homeostasis in stomatal guard cells

Zhonghua Chen, Adrian Hills, Virgilio L. Lew, Michael R. Blatt

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    Abstract

    Guard cells play a vital role in regulating photosynthetic CO2 uptake and transpirational water loss from plants. The mechanisms that drive stomatal movement have been intensively studied at the level of the guard cells in epidermal peels and in intact leaves, protoplasts and membrane patches. However, our knowledge of the internal mechanisms that control the dynamic continuum of stomatal apertures is very poor. Using systems analysis, we are bridging this gap in understanding of the dynamic range of stomatal apertures and its regulation by plasma membrane and tonoplast transport. An important focus for us is to understand how transport integrates with homeostasis in response to environmental stress and how such integration determines the ‘set point' for stomatal aperture. To this end, a software platform is under development for quantitative mathematical modelling of guard cell membrane transport and homeostasis involving ion and solute channels, pumps, carriers and co-transporters. Individual models of the key transporters are being programmed in the C++ language, based on the detailed kinetic information of guard cell transporters. Concurrently, we are using imaging, electrophysiology and related techniques to examine the oscillatory behaviour of guard cells. These studies will be used to test and validate our model's predictions.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)S188-S189
    Number of pages2
    JournalComparative Biochemistry and Physiology. Part A: Molecular and Integrative Physiology
    Volume153
    Issue number2
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2009

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