Measuring of water transport selectively along the plant root plasmodesmata using gradient nuclear magnetic resonance with paramagnetic doping

In this study, we measured translational water diffusion selectively along symplast pathway through plasmodesmata in maize roots, and the effective plasmodesmata permeability coefficient (P) was determined using a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spin echo method. Measuring of water transport selectively along the plant root plasmodesmata was achieved with paramagnetic complexes (PCs) of high relaxation efficiency. PCs penetrate into the intercellular space of root tissue, but not into cells, and accelerate the magnetic relaxation processes of intercellular water, thereby excluding the contribution of intercellular water to the registered NMR diffusion echo attenuation. In result, NMR control of translational diffusion can be applied to the signal of the water moving along the symplast pathway through plasmodesmata, where the PCs do not penetrate. Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (GdDTPA), Mn²⁺-trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (MnDCTA), and GdCl₃ were used as PCs. An increase in the PCs concentration led to a side effect in the form of a varying decrease in diffusive water transport in the roots. The P was determined by extrapolating the concentration dependence to zero concentration of PCs. Among the PCs studied, MnDCTA had the least side effects on the water transport when the concentration dependence was linear. When MnDCTA was used, the P accounted for 30-35% of the total cell water permeability (by transmembrane and symplast pathways). The rate of water flow along the plasmodesmata in the approximation of the piston mode of flow along the linear cell chain was estimated to range from 4.5 × 10^-7 to 8.8 × 10^-7 m/s.

Paramagnetic complexes; Plant cell permeability; Plasmodesmata; Roots; Water transport.