Ultraviolet-Stimulated KHCO(3) Efflux from Rose Cells: Regulation of Cytoplasmic pH.

Suspension-cultured cells of Rosa damascena that have been irradiated with ultraviolet light (254 nanometers, 2.1 x 10(4) joules per square meter) rapidly lose K(+) and HCO(3) (-) ions to the medium. If the HCO(3) (-) is derived from respiratory CO(2) inside the cell, then loss of HCO(3) (-) should be accompanied by an acidification of the cytoplasm. Estimates of the pH of control and ultraviolet-irradiated cells by (31)P-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy indicated that, following irradiation, the pH of both cytoplasm and vacuole dropped by 0.2 to 0.3 units. This change was not as great as was predicted from the observed HCO(3) (-) loss. Analysis of nitrogenous compounds in the cell suggested that reduction of nitrate and synthesis of gamma-aminobutyric acid absorbed some of the protons formed by the synthesis and dissociation of bicarbonate.