The first indication of the aluminum (Al) toxicity in plants growing in acidic soils is the cessation of root growth, but the detailed mechanism of Al effect is unknown. Here we examined the impact of Al stress on the activity of non-specific phospholipase C (NPC) in the connection with the processes related to the plasma membrane using fluorescently labeled phosphatidylcholine. We observed a rapid and significant decrease of labeled diacylglycerol (DAG), product of NPC activity, in Arabidopsis seedlings treated with AlCl₃. Interestingly, an application of the membrane fluidizer, benzyl alcohol, restored the level of DAG during Al treatment. Our observations suggest that the activity of NPC is affected by Al-induced changes in plasma membrane physical properties.

• MeSH
• Arabidopsis drug effects   enzymology   MeSH
• Benzyl Alcohol pharmacology   MeSH
• Cell Membrane drug effects   metabolism   MeSH
• Diglycerides metabolism   MeSH
• Type C Phospholipases metabolism   MeSH
• Aluminum pharmacology   MeSH
• Ions MeSH
• Plant Roots drug effects   metabolism   MeSH
• Seedlings drug effects   metabolism   MeSH
• Boron Compounds metabolism   MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH