Crystal structure of the chalcone (E)-3-(furan-2-yl)-1-phenylprop-2-en-1-one.

The title chalcone derivative, C13H10O2, adopts an E conformation about the C=C double bond. The mol-ecule is composed of a furanyl and a phenyl ring, bridged by an α,β-unsaturated carbonyl system, which are inclined to one another by 24.07 (7)°.

Patch-clamp protocols to study cell ionic homeostasis under saline conditions.

The patch-clamp technique was designed to measure any electrogenic transport across the whole cell and organelle (vacuolar) membranes and excised membrane patches. Here, we describe preparation of protoplasts and vacuoles, as well as patch-clamp assays, to detect the functional expression of K(+) and cation channels of plasma membrane and tonoplast, as well as plasma membrane anion channels and vacuolar and plasma membrane H(+) pumps. All of these contribute to the intracellular ionic homeostasis under saline conditions.

Polyamines interact with hydroxyl radicals in activating Ca(2+) and K(+) transport across the root epidermal plasma membranes.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are integral components of the plant adaptive responses to environment. Importantly, ROS affect the intracellular Ca(2+) dynamics by activating a range of nonselective Ca(2+)-permeable channels in plasma membrane (PM). Using patch-clamp and noninvasive microelectrode ion flux measuring techniques, we have characterized ionic currents and net K(+) and Ca(2+) fluxes induced by hydroxyl radicals (OH(•)) in pea (Pisum sativum) roots.