Al3+ and Ca2+ Alteration of Membrane Permeability of Quercus rubra Root Cortex Cells

Abstract
This study was undertaken to quantify the effect of aluminum and calcium on membrane permeability. The influence of Ca2+ (0.2-3.7 millimolar) and Al3+ (0-3.7 millimolar) on the permeability of root cortical cells of Quercus rubra was measured using three nonelectrolytes (urea, methyl urea, and ethyl urea) as permeators of progressively increasing lipid solubility. Water permeability was also measured. Al3+ (a) increased membrane permeability to the nonelectrolytes, (b) decreased the membrane's partiality for lipid permeators, and (c) decreased membrane permeability to water. Ca2+ had effects on permeability that were opposite to those of Al3+. When Al3+ and Ca2+ were tested in combination, these opposite effects counteracted each other. The results suggest that Al3+ altered the architecture of membrane lipids.