RT Journal Article SR Electronic A1 Voigt, E. L. A1 Caitano, R. F. A1 Maia, J. M. A1 Ferreira-Silva, S. L. A1 De MacĂȘdo, C. E. C. A1 Silveira, J. A. G. T1 Involvement of cation channels and NH<sub>4</sub><sup>+</sup>-sensitive K<sup>+</sup> transporters in Na<sup>+</sup> uptake by cowpea roots under salinity JF Biologia plantarum YR 2009 VO 53 IS 4 SP 764 OP 768 DO 10.1007/s10535-009-0140-x UL https://bp.ueb.cas.cz/artkey/bpl-200904-0031.php AB Na<sup>+</sup> accumulation was investigated in the roots of 11-d-old cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] plants. The relative contribution of different membrane transporters on Na<sup>+</sup> uptake was estimated by applying Ca<sup>2+</sup>, K<sup>+</sup>, NH<sub>4</sub> <sup>+</sup>, and pharmacological inhibitors. Na<sup>+</sup> accumulation into the root symplast was decreased by half in the presence of 1 mM Ca<sup>2+</sup> and it was almost abolished by 100 mM K<sup>+</sup>. The inhibitory effect of external NH<sup>4+</sup> on Na<sup>+</sup> accumulation was more pronounced in the roots of NH<sub>4</sub> <sup>+</sup>-free growing plants. Na<sup>+</sup> accumulation was reduced about 73 % by 0.1 mM flufenamate and it was almost blocked by 2 mM quinine. In addition, 20 mM tetraethylammonium and 1.0 mM Cs<sup>+</sup> decreased Na<sup>+</sup> accumulation by 28 and 30 %, respectively. These results evidenced that low-affinity Na<sup>+</sup> uptake by cowpea roots depends on Ca<sup>2+</sup>-sensitive and Ca<sup>2+</sup>-insensitive pathways. The Ca<sup>2+</sup>-sensitive pathway is probably mediated by nonselective cation channels and the Ca<sup>2+</sup>-insensitive one may involve K<sup>+</sup> channels and to a lesser extent NH<sub>4</sub> <sup>+</sup>-sensitive K<sup>+</sup> transporters.