The effect of aluminium on bioelectrical activity of the Nitellopsis obtusa cell membrane after H+-ATPase inhibition

Aluminium induced membrane potential (Em) changes and potential changes during repolarization phase of the action potential (AP) in the internodal cells of Nitellopsis obtusa after blocking H+-ATPase activity by DCCD were investigated. Micromolar concentrations of DCCD are sufficient to give complete and irreversible inhibition of proton pumping. The membrane potential was measured by conventional glass-microelectrode technique. We found that the half-amplitude pulse duration differs significantly between standard conditions, after DCCD application, and after H+-ATPase blocking and subsequent Al3+ treatment: 4.9, 7.7 and 17.2 seconds, respectively. We propose that in the short term (2 hours) treatment of Al3+, the decrease in membrane potential was compensated for by H+-ATPase activity. Blocking H+-ATPase activity by DCCD can enhance the influence of Al3+ on the bioelectrical activity of cell membranes.