Ultrastructural alteration of plant plasma membranes induced by auxin and calcium ions.

Ultrastructural changes in isolated and in situ plasma membranes of etiolated soybean hypocotyls (Glycine max L. cv. Wayne) were induced by indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), other auxins, and calcium chloride. Fixed and embedded preparations were stained by a phosphotungstate-chromate procedure to identify and accentuate plasma membrane. Measurements were on micrographs obtained with an electron optical system calibrated and corrected for reproducible and accurate size measurements. Plasma membranes treated for 20 minutes with 1 mum IAA were 10 to 15% thinner than controls. The response to IAA was rapid, reproducible, auxin-specific, temperature-dependent, and reversible. Comparable responses were obtained with isolated and in situ membranes. Membranes treated with 0.5 m calcium chloride for 20 minutes were 15 to 20% thicker than controls. Multiple cycles of alternating calcium and IAA treatments yielded membranes with dimensions that reflected the last treatment of the series. The findings show a direct response of plasma membranes to growth regulating agents and provide evidence for a cell-free response of isolated plasma membranes to a hormone.