Inhibition of plant cell membrane transport phenomena induced by zearalenone (F-2).

Zearalenone (F-2), an estrogenic factor produced by a number of Fusarium spp., stimulates a leakage of electrolytes, β-cyanin and aminoacids from three plant tissues. F-2 inhibits rubidium uptake in roots of Zea mays L. and Beta vulgaris L. var. rubra. However the effect in the latter tissue is evident after long-term treatments with the toxin. Rubidium uptake is not affected in Solanum tuberosum L. var. Bintje. The toxin also causes inhibition of H(+) extrusion, of root elongation, of ATPase activity of plasmalemma-enriched fractions and depolarization of transmembrane potentials of corn roots. The evidence presented supports the hypothesis that F-2 affects plasma membranes of several plant species.